# Don't you hate it when you pay attention to your breathing? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 10, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188 "2006-08-10T18:35:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/1 "2006-08-10T18:35:32Z")
Whenever I stop and actually think about my breathing, whatever part of my brain handles it automatically gets shut off, and I have to consciously think about every. single. breath. until I can distract myself enough to get back on automatic again. It’s terrible when this happens as I’m trying to sleep. Does this happen to anyone else? ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/2 "2006-08-10T18:39:58Z")
This happened to me as soon as I read the thread title. Similar things happen with lots of other things too, like when I pay attention to my blinking, or when someone says “Isn’t it weird how you don’t feel the weight of your clothes until someone mentions it?” It’s so annoying. ---
**Author:** ![DrunkOnion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ab097/32.png) [@DrunkOnion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrunkOnion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/3 "2006-08-10T18:43:56Z")
[QUOTE=Absolute] Whenever I stop and actually think about my breathing, whatever part of my brain handles it automatically gets shut off, and I have to consciously think about every. single. breath. until I can distract myself enough to get back on automatic again. It’s terrible when this happens as I’m trying to sleep. Does this happen to anyone else? [/QUOTE] I sleep with the TV on for that very reason.. I can’t do those relaxation exercises because as soon as they say take a breath and relax..I tense up and my chest gets heavy..always freaks me out. ---
**Author:** ![badbadrubberpiggy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/57b2e6/32.png) [@badbadrubberpiggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badbadrubberpiggy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/4 "2006-08-10T18:45:06Z")
[QUOTE=Omega Glory] This happened to me as soon as I read the thread title. [/QUOTE] Me too. It makes me wonder if I’m doing it right. Of course I am, but it feels weird to actually be thinking about it. I’m just really glad the same thing doesn’t happen when you think about your heart beating. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/5 "2006-08-10T18:54:52Z")
Try having chronic heart palpitations. I’ve been to a cardiologist who checked me out from stem to stern, and he said they’re benign and try not to worry about them. Doesn’t mean they’re any less Godawful annoying. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/6 "2006-08-10T19:02:21Z")
For fun, try this: Go for a walk. Preferably near a large group of people, just so you’ll be really embarassed. Now, as you’re walking, really try to figure out HOW you walk. Do you lift one leg as the other’s firmly planted, or do you anticipate? How do you shift your weight from one side to the other? Do you lean slightly forward, or slightly backwards? What do you do with your arms? Basically, try to _consciously_ walk, rather than just letting it happen. Once you pick yourself off the ground, and people stop laughing and pointing, try to ever walk normally again. [SUB]Why, yes, this happened to me. Why do you ask?[/SUB] ---
**Author:** ![Cemetery\_Savior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/439d5e/32.png) [@Cemetery\_Savior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cemetery_Savior)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/7 "2006-08-10T19:18:52Z")
I hate it when I start a run, and I’m concentrating hard on my nose-\>mouth thing. I hate that I can’t get my mind off of it until something starts to get sore (shins around mile 2 or so). ---
**Author:** ![Strinka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strinka/32/512_2.png) [@Strinka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strinka)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/8 "2006-08-10T19:37:47Z")
:: breathe in, breathe out :: Damn you! :: breathe in, breathe out :: ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/9 "2006-08-10T19:47:43Z")
[QUOTE=Lightnin’] Now, as you’re walking, really try to figure out HOW you walk. Do you lift one leg as the other’s firmly planted, or do you anticipate? How do you shift your weight from one side to the other? Do you lean slightly forward, or slightly backwards? What do you do with your arms? Basically, try to _consciously_ walk, rather than just letting it happen. Once you pick yourself off the ground, and people stop laughing and pointing, try to ever walk normally again.[/SUB] [/QUOTE] The centipede was happy quite Until a toad in fun Said, “Pray, which leg goes after which?” That worked her mind to such a pitch She lay distracted in the ditch, Considering how to run. – Mrs. Edward Craster ---
**Author:** ![Tracy\_Lord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@Tracy\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tracy_Lord)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/10 "2006-08-10T20:28:51Z")
I like to watch my breathing when I’m doing things like dancing, stretching or singing. If I concentrate on breathing well, I can do a lot more than if I weren’t. When I focus on breathing deeply, I run better, sustain sound longer and more strongly, and can bend more. I really appreciate the yoga class I took last term in school; it helped me realize what a huge difference breathing accurately/well can make. Even when I’m walking normally, my stamina is greatly increased by making an effort to breathe more deeply and slowly, and not automatically slip into the shallow and quick “winded” breathing. So, in other words, to answer the OP: no! I love paying attention to my breathing! 🙂 It’s helpful for so many different things. ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/11 "2006-08-10T20:45:06Z")
Oh, no ! I can feel my tongue ! ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/12 "2006-08-10T21:01:09Z")
Concentrating on breathing is the only way I can get through an hour on the treadmill. I used to read books, but when I started running, that was too hard. Laptops and treadmills don’t mix (as I found out recently, to the tune of $750) so watching a movie is out. I listen to music, and that get’s me moving, but i still need something more. Breathing is the best thing I’ve found to focus on. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/13 "2006-08-10T21:12:48Z")
[QUOTE=Pixisis] Oh, no ! I can feel my tongue ! [/QUOTE] Don’t Think About Your Eyeballs… ---
**Author:** ![Greywolf73](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d9b06d/32.png) [@Greywolf73](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greywolf73)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/14 "2006-08-10T21:30:08Z")
Whatever you do, don’t start wondering about the process of driving a car _while you’re driving_. I almost had an accident because I suddenly “forgot” how to shift gears because I was thinking too hard about it. :smack: Also, if you really want to freak yourself out, start thinking about the fact that there’s a brain inside your head. Everything you do, say, think or feel is based on this lump of tissue inside your skull that you can’t see or feel. It’s really weird when your head starts feeling heavy… ---
**Author:** ![Monstre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@Monstre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstre)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/15 "2006-08-11T04:55:06Z")
[QUOTE=LunaV] Laptops and treadmills don’t mix (as I found out recently, to the tune of $750) so watching a movie is out. [/QUOTE] Dare I ask? I’m trying to picture this – it’s an interesting mental image. Were you actually holding the laptop while running? (Have you considered putting it on some stationary object in front of you? ;)) ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/16 "2006-08-11T05:31:10Z")
[QUOTE=Greywolf73] Whatever you do, don’t start wondering about the process of driving a car _while you’re driving_. I almost had an accident because I suddenly “forgot” how to shift gears because I was thinking too hard about it. :smack: [/QUOTE] That reminds me of one day I actually \*\*thought \*\* about the double yellow line in the center of the road. It was on my right at the time. :eek: No more thinking and driving! ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/17 "2006-08-11T05:32:23Z")
[QUOTE=Monstre] Dare I ask? I’m trying to picture this – it’s an interesting mental image. Were you actually holding the laptop while running? (Have you considered putting it on some stationary object in front of you? ;)) [/QUOTE] No, I had it propped upright where the books go; there’s a ledge. I went to change the DVD, so I tipped the laptop slightly for easier access. While running. :smack: Got a nice new laptop from my stupidity, though! And it’s staying faar away from my treadmill. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/18 "2006-08-11T05:48:15Z")
I only start paying attention to my breathing when I’m high. [QUOTE=Pixisis] Oh, no ! I can feel my tongue ! [/QUOTE] That too. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/19 "2006-08-11T05:57:13Z")
So you guys aren’t big into insight meditation, I take it? **LunaV,** thanks for your cautionary tale. I had been flirting with this idea, but you’ve convinced me not to try it. ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2006, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188/20 "2006-08-11T10:27:49Z")
I only ever “heard” myself breathing when I was lying next to Mr. Levins. I’d notice that we were _almost_ breathing in sync, and I’d become mildly obsessed with getting us _completely_ in sync. Only he was asleep, and obviously I wasn’t, so of course I was breathing a bit faster than he was, because he’s in the midst of happy REM state and I’m over here going, “WHY AREN’T WE BREATHING AT THE SAME RATE???” And then I’d get really annoyed and start breathing even faster, and then I’d want to smack him in his sleep for something that wasn’t his fault at all… I swear this had nothing to do with why we broke up. I do sleep alone now, though. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dont-you-hate-it-when-you-pay-attention-to-your-breathing/368188.md?page=2)