Diaphragmatic Breathing

What is Diaphragmatic Breathing?

Diaphragmatic breathing focuses on deep, abdominal breaths rather than shallow chest breaths. This method enhances oxygen exchange and activates the body’s relaxation response. An SLP can help work on breath work during sessions to promote proper breathing strategies that will increase intelligibility and volume.

Why is it important for speech?

If we aren’t taking diaphragmatic breaths, we won’t have proper breath support to sustain our voice. If we take short chest breaths, we end up running out of air when speaking. This impacts our intelligibility and can make it hard for our listener to understand our message.

Benefits

1. Reduces Stress: Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones.

2. Lowers Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Encourages relaxation, stabilizing heart functions.

3. Improves Lung Function: Strengthens respiratory muscles for better lung capacity.

4. Boosts Emotional Well-Being: Helps reduce anxiety and improve mood.

How to Practice

1. Get Comfortable: Sit or lie down with a straight back.

2. Position Your Hands: One on your chest, the other on your abdomen.

3. Inhale Deeply: Breathe in through your nose, expanding your belly.

4. Hold: Pause for a count of four.

5. Exhale Slowly: Release the breath through your mouth, feeling your abdomen fall.

6. Repeat: Continue for five to ten minutes.

Conclusion

Diaphragmatic breathing is a simple yet effective tool to enhance well-being and improve speech intelligibility. Begin incorporating it into your everyday routine to increase confidence when speaking and reduce stress.

Author: Brittany Schoellkopf M.S., CCC-SLP