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Why Deep Breathing Doesn’t Work (Unless You Do THIS)

Updated: Jul 24

How a simple shift in your breath can change the way you handle labor, motherhood, and life


We’ve all heard it before:


“Just take a deep breath.”


But what if I told you that most of us are doing that wrong?


What if your “deep breath” is actually making your body feel more stressed — not less?


As a mom and a movement coach, I’ve been there — breathing through contractions, meltdowns, messy kitchens, and mental overload. And over time, I’ve learned this:


It’s not about just breathing deeper. It’s about breathing differently.


There’s a powerful technique your body already knows — it just needs a little reminder.


And once you learn to use it on purpose, you can use it anytime:

In labor. In traffic. In tears. In chaos.


Let me show you:



What Is Diaphragmatic Breathing?


Also known as 360 degree breathing, diaphragmatic breathing activates your diaphragm (a muscle just below your lungs) instead of your upper chest.


When you breathe this way, you send a message to your body that says:


“I’m safe. I can calm down. I’ve got this.”


It’s the opposite of stress breathing — you know, the shallow, chest-tight kind that sneaks in when you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or trying to “hold it together.”


Why Most Deep Breathing Doesn’t Work


When we breathe from the chest, we’re unknowingly signaling our nervous system to stay on high alert. It’s like pressing the stress button instead of the calm one.


That’s why:

  • You take a deep breath, but your body still feels tense.

  • You try to “breathe through it,” but nothing really shifts.


The missing piece?


Activating your diaphragm.


That’s the “THIS” that changes everything.


Try It Right Now:


  1. Sit up tall and relax your shoulders.

  2. Place both hands on the side of your body around your ribcage

  3. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds — feel your ribcage expand front, sides, and back

  4. Exhale gently through your mouth for 6 seconds — feel your belly soften as a result of the exhale.


Repeat 2–3 times.


You’ll feel your body start to unwind, almost like a built-in reset button.


This Shift Helped Me in Labor — and Beyond


I used this breathing technique during labor when the contractions felt overwhelming.


I’ve used it in motherhood when I was on the edge of tears and didn’t know what to do next.


And I come back to it anytime life feels heavy, loud, or too much.


It’s not a mind trick.

It’s body wisdom.

It’s breath on purpose.


Your breath is with you in every season of motherhood.

Use it — not just to survive the hard moments,

but to move through them with strength and peace.


And if you’ve ever thought, “I’m doing everything right, but I still feel off,” —

this might be the missing piece.


Want More Support?


🎁 Download my free Mom Fitness Affirmation Guide to speak strength, grace, and truth over your movement journey:


👟 Join our Walking Moms Global Facebook Group for encouragement, fitness challenges, and a supportive mom community:

 
 
 

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