When working at the computer we generally breathe 30% more rapidly than when just sitting and relaxing. When boys play computer games they usually increase their respiration rate by about 80%. Rapid and shallow breathing may contribute to neck and shoulder tension, referred pain down the arms and into the hands, muscle irritability and tiredness. Improve and maintain your health when you observe and Change your breath.
How to Observe and Change Your Breath
Sit comfortably in a chair. Drop your hands to your lap, relax and study your breathing patterns. Observe where and how rapidly the breathing movements occur. Does your stomach expand when you inhale and contract when you exhale? Is your exhalation longer than your inhalation? As you exhale, can you count to five or longer?

Now place your hand on your mouse and perform fine mouse movements. Concentrate and focus your attention as you manipulate and click the mouse. Draw your name backward with the mouse and left click after each letter. As you performed the mousing task, did you notice that your body stiffened and became more still and fixed, that your breathing pattern shifted higher into your chest, or that you breathed more rapidly? In almost all cases, breathing shifts higher in the chest and becomes more rapid.

Use this observation to remind yourself to breathe lower and slower. Imagine that you have a balloon in your stomach that enlarges when you inhale and becomes smaller when you exhale. Allow your exhalation time to increase by reducing the airflow. Make sure that you exhale completely. Imagine that you are gently blowing air over your lovers or babys eyelids. Do this with a slight smile.

During the day, observe your breathing. If you find that you are breathing rapidly or in your chest, slow your exhalation and shift your breathing to your abdomen. Practice slow breathing before you begin a task.

Breathing Problems

Some 44 million Americans suffer from allergies and asthma and have trouble breathing during an attack. Also, there are millions of people who have breathing problems because of cigarette smoke and air pollution.
Breathing problems also affect people who are very allergic to some types of shellfish, nuts, medications and insect bites. These people can suffer an allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This reaction begins within minutes of exposure to the substance causing the allergy. During this type of allergic reaction, the airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Soon, the heartbeat races and blood pressure drops. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal if a person is not treated within 15 minutes.

Breathing problems from some things may require emergency care.

In children they include:

-Wheezing
-Croup, a virus with a "barking cough" common in young children
-Diphtheria, which is a very contagious throat infection
-Heart defects children are born with

In children and adults they include:
*Severe allergic reactions
*A face, head, nose or lung injury
*Carbon monoxide poisoning
*Harsh chemical burns in the air passages
*Epiglottitis, which is inflammation of the flap of tissue at the back of the throat that can close off the windpipe
*Choking
*Drug overdose
*Poisoning
*Asthma
*Bronchitis
*Pneumonia
In adults they include:
+Emphysema
+Congestive heart failure
+Heart attack
+Blood clot in a lung
+Collapse of a lung

Prevention

*Avoid allergic substances or agents that induce asthma, if you have it.
*Do not walk, run or jog on roads with heavy automobile traffic.
*If you have a gas furnace, install a carbon monoxide detector.
*Never leave your car running in a closed garage.
*Make sure immunizations against childhood diseases, especially diphtheria, are up-to-date. This is part of the Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTP) vaccination.
*If you smoke, quit.
*Keep small objects a child could choke on out of reach and do not give gum, (especially bubble gum), nuts, hard candy, or popcorn to children under 5 years old.
*Lock up all medications and poisonous substances so small children can't get to them.