This article originally appeared in Spirituality & Health.
Poor ergonomics can impair breath, while anger, pain, and frustration stemming from hyperfocus on our computers can bring on bouts of chronic breath-holding.
Have you ever caught yourself holding your breath? This involuntary breath-holding may not even happen in a period of stress or anticipation. Perhaps you’re just sitting on your couch or in front of your computer when you suddenly realize you haven’t been breathing.
If you stop to think about it, you may wonder how often this happens and why your body isn’t automatically doing it for you. You might even ruminate on it for a bit, wondering if chronic breath-holding happens more than you realize. You’re not alone.