Why Do We Breathe in ‘Deep’ When Nervous?

You breathe deeper when you’re nervous because your body is trying to help you calm down. When something scares you, your heart beats faster and you start breathing more deeply, like taking a big breath before diving into the water. This helps you feel ready for action or to think clearly.

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Examples

  1. You take a big breath before giving a speech.
  2. Your friend holds their breath when they're scared of something.
  3. You feel like you need to breathe deeply after hearing bad news.

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