Positions to Reduce Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath can occur during activity, emotional excitement, exposure to adverse weather conditions, or when you feel tense and need to relax.

In conjunction with pursed lip breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, use these breathing positions to help you reduce shortness of breath.

These positions are helpful when you have shortness of breath during activity, emotional excitement, exposure to adverse weather conditions or when you feel tense and need to relax.

Sitting

  • Rest your feet flat on the floor.
  • Lean your chest forward slightly.
  • Rest your elbows on your knees or rest your chin on your hands.
  • Relax your neck and shoulder muscles.

Sit in chair, rest knees on elbows and relax shoulder muscles to help control your shortness of breath.

-OR-

  • Rest your feet flat on the floor.
  • Lean your chest forward slightly.
  • Rest your arms on a table.
  • Rest your head on your forearms or on some pillows.

Feet flat on the floor, lean your chest forward, rest your arms on a table and your head on your forearms or a pillow.
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Standing

  • Stand with your feet shoulder width apart.
  • Lean your hips against a wall.
  • Rest your hands on your thighs.
  • Relax your shoulders, leaning forward slightly and dangling your arms in front of you.

Stand with feet shoulder width apart and hips against a wall. Relax shoulders, leaning forward slightly with arms dangling.

-OR-

  • Rest your elbows or hands on a piece of furniture, just below shoulder height.
  • Relax your neck, resting your head on your forearms.
  • Relax your shoulders.

Rest your elbows or hands on a piece of furniture just below shoulder height. Relax your neck rest your head on your forearms

Sleeping

Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated with pillows. Keep your back straight.

Lie on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated with pillows. Keep your back straight.

-OR-

Lie on your back with your head elevated and your knees bent, with a pillow under your knees.

Lie on your back with your head elevated and your knees bent, with a pillow under your knees.
Medically Reviewed

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/14/2018.

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