Breathlessness: Hospice Dying Breaths

When something life-changing like terminal illness occurs in someone’s life, directly or indirectly, we don’t always know why it’s happening to us. Instead of stressing over that, what becomes more important and can offer more help in our healing —spiritually and mentally — is to take that same energy of perplexity and shift its focus to finding a new approach from what could have been to what is now. Consciously choosing a creative redirection can help us find release and relief as we approach the last chapter of our lives.

Determination and humor can be great assets in dealing with something that we feel shouldn’t have happened – that space of acceptance can reveal a depth of determination and peace and creativity, and even hope. When it feels as though the navigation of the gray area between life and death is between you and your breath, it can be helpful to develop a conscious effort of breathing in a way that is reflective and healing.

Focusing on your breathing not only keeps us present in our awareness of the moment but can also allow patients to feel in control of their body and more capable of coping with pain and anxiety. Breath is life – when we’re faced with our own mortality, there’s so much anxiety surrounding it, including negative internal voice. Breathlessness is one of the most troublesome physical symptoms for patients.

In addition to creating a space of relaxation for the emotional and spiritual body, it also has a positive effect on the physical body through strengthening primary and secondary respiratory muscles.

Breathlessness can occur with patients not only suffering from respiratory illnesses – but also advanced diseases with symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, depression, panic attacks, feelings of isolation and hopelessness and cognitive difficulties or confusion.

A Simple Breathing Exercise

First it’s important to recognize how you breathe.

Place one hand lightly on your upper chest and the other on your abdomen.
Breathe in and out.
Focus on the movement of your hands as you breathe.
Note which hand is moving first.

Technique 1

Take in a deep breath from your diaphragm (the muscle between your lungs and abdomen).
Hold the breath for several seconds – however long is comfortable for you – exhale slowly.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 two more times.
Afterward, relax for a moment and let yourself feel the experience of being calm.

Technique 2

Relax your entire body.
Place one hand lightly on your upper chest and the other on your abdomen.
Breathe in and out through your nose.
Focus on the movement of your hands as you breathe.
Note which hand is moving first.
As you take a breath in you should feel the hand on your abdomen rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale.
The hand on your upper chest should be moving minimally.

Technique 3

Sit comfortably in a quiet place with your eyes closed and your spine fairly straight.
Direct your attention to your breathing – trying to breathe through your belly and noticing it rising and falling.
As thoughts, emotions, physical sensations or sounds arise, accept them. Allow them to come and go without judgment.
If your mind wanders from your breathing, notice what took your attention away, then come back to your breathing. Accept the feelings without dwelling on them. Notice how your body reacts to disrupting thoughts—does it affect your posture? Do you feel tense?
You may choose to repeat a word or phrase to keep you in the moment. It can be a word like “relax,” “forgive” or “calm.”