Years ago I was taking my written driver's license test.The question asked how should your wheels be aligned, while waiting to complete a left turn. The answer was obvious - straight ahead. Later I was waiting to turn onto my street, sure enough, my wheels were cocked slightly left, ready to complete the turn. That lesson learned was some 60 years ago.
What does that have to do with breathing, you say? Well we all "know" PLB properly executed, means in for a count of 2, and out thru pursed lips, for a count of 4 or more. Seems simple, right. But is that what you are really doing? Especially during exercise or other exertion.
I have been doing neck bends, turns and chin tucks for years. Recently I discovered, in practice, I would inhale - tuck - exhale - and repeat. Always feeling slight SOB during this process. In reality, it was inhale - count 1 - exhale count 1. This was an unconscious process. I now consciously inhale 1,2 and exhale 1-4, and feel much better.
The reason I bring this up, often we know what to do, how to do it and then just proceed as we always have.
When I get anxious, SOB is quick to follow. Even when, say O2> 96%, so I sit there anxiously staring at my pulseox rapidly puffing to get breathing back under control. This just exasperates the situation, going deeper into the SOB rabbit hole.
The solution, invoke your stress management tool box. Focus on calming scenes, not your breathing, relax and that thought of "can't breathe" will soon disappear.
These are just some of my observations of years with COPD, many learned just recently! Hope this helps you better understand the why's and how's of breathing. Of course comments are welcome. //ed