Hyperventilating - paper bag provides relief
News News blog
Hyperventilating occurs in some people in connection with intense feelings of fear, anger and resentment. But depression or painful conditions can also be responsible.
When we hyperventilate, we breathe with the chest muscles instead of with the diaphragm. We breathe faster and/or deeper than is necessary to supply our body with oxygen and to remove carbon dioxide.
In this case, a paper product can be useful: Therefore, carry a paper bag with you and breathe into it.
In an emergency, you can then hold the bag over your face in such a way that the bag reaches over your nose and mouth and sits firmly on your face. Then breathe in and out of the bag. When you breathe into the bag, no new oxygen is supplied - instead you are breathing in carbon dioxide. This increases the concentration of carbon dioxide in your blood again and slows down your breathing. If you don't have a bag handy, you can also breathe into the hollow of your hand held in front of your open mouth.
