Breath-holding and shallow breathing are common with Parkinson’s disease. Shallow breathing, also known as chest breathing, occurs when a person takes short, rapid breaths using only the upper part of the lungs rather than breathing deeply with the diaphragm. This pattern is often triggered by stress, anxiety, poor posture, or chronic tension, and over time it can become the body’s default way of breathing. Instead of allowing the lungs to fully expand, shallow breathing limits oxygen exchange and forces the body to work harder just to maintain normal function.
The effects of shallow breathing and breath-holding can impact both the body and the mind. Physically, it may cause tightness in the neck, shoulders, and chest because accessory muscles are overused during breathing. It can also contribute to fatigue, headaches, dizziness, poor sleep, and increased heart rate. Since shallow breathing is closely tied to the body’s “fight or flight” response, it may keep the nervous system in a constant state of stress, reducing the body’s ability to relax and recover.
Psychologically, shallow breathing and breath-holding can intensify feelings of anxiety, overwhelm, and mental exhaustion. The brain often interprets rapid chest breathing as a sign of danger, which can increase stress hormones and create a cycle of tension and worry. In contrast, slow diaphragmatic breathing helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calmness, focus, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of well-being. Learning to breathe deeply and fully can therefore have powerful effects on both physical health and mental resilience.
Watch this video to learn How Breath-Holding Affects the Parkinson’s Brain and Body:
For more tips to help you breathe better, be sure to check out my other videos:
- Improve Lung Strength With This Balloon Exercise for Parkinson’s
- Do This Breathing Exercise To Calm Your Nervous System if You Have Parkinson’s
Did you know that we offer specialty digital courses to address your Parkinson’s symptoms? If you’re looking to add more variety to your workouts, try one of our courses below:
- Rebel Fit Club Posture School
- “From Cramping Feet to Happy Feet!” Course
- PD Exercises to Improve Hand Dexterity & Mobility
Do you need to work on your balance? Join our Balance Builders Course! It’s a five-week course that you can do in-person or virtually. Classes are held once a week, and you’ll also get recorded videos that you can do at home. For more information, email Kimberly.
💜 Coach Kimberly
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Contact me to get started in Kimberly Berg’s Rebel Fit Club Parkinson’s Boxing classes today. We have online workouts, too!
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