Breathing Patterns and Emotional States: How Emotions Affect Your Breath

Emotions alter breathing patterns:

Anger

• Increased rate, shallow breathing, chest heaving, chest tightness, rapid heart rate

Fear

• Increased rate, shallow breathing, chest tightness, rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling

Sadness

• Slowed rate, deep breathing, sighing, yawning, decreased heart rate

Happiness

• Relaxed rate, deep breathing, smiling, laughing, increased heart rate

Surprise

• Increased rate, shallow breathing, gasping, wide eyes, rapid heart rate

Disgust

• Slowed rate, deep breathing, wrinkled nose, gagging, decreased heart rate

Contempt

• Slowed rate, deep breathing, sneering, smirking, decreased heart rate

Patterns vary by individual and emotion intensity.