A client writes to say the hot new trend in breathing exercises has proven “effective” in controlling his panic attacks.
So what is a breathing necklace? In simple terms, it’s a small tube, about 2 inches long. The inner diameter can vary from about one-tenth to one-third of an inch. When you feel an anxiety or panic attack coming on, you take a deeper breath and exhale through the tube. The smaller dimension will require a longer exhale, but the usual recommendation for anxiety is a 5-second inhale followed by a 10-second exhale. Users will need to experiment with different sized tubes to find the best size for their needs.
The tube is hung on a chain around the neck so it is readily available any time. Many of the products now on the market are made to look like a pendant, so they can be carried at all times without embarrassment. Users have shared that using the tube helps them restore slow breathing and tame the shallow, rapid breathing that is the bane of anxiety sufferers.
Naturally, such a simple item is sold in different styles, colors, materials, and price ranges. The original “Komuso” breathing tube was apparently developed during the pandemic to help anxiety sufferers, and now costs $65.00 on Amazon. For people who have concerns about sanitation and durability, as well as those who appreciate the stylish jewellery effect, this may be the best choice.
There is no question that breathing is an important and often underrated part of healthy living. A panic attack starts with some internal fear or trigger, but rapid, shallow breathing soon takes over, a physical response developed in ancient times known as “fight or flight”. Once rapid breathing starts, it’s very difficult to stop it, so many exercises and tools have been developed to help restore deeper breathing. It remains to be seen whether the “breathing necklace” will be a passing fad or a more widely accepted tool in the anti-anxiety toolkit.