Hatrack River Forum: Breathing questions (just idle speculation, not emergency)

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Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :

My husband likes to lie in bed and watch television and he likes me to lay my head on his chest so we can watch together.

The thing is, I don't like breathing his expelled air. Maybe it's psychological, but I can't help but feel I am getting more CO2 than oxygen, and it's stifling to breathe his stale air anyway.

So I tried timing my exhalations and inhalations to his, but he breathes 1 and a half times as fast as I do, so I'm always just 'off time'. Ridiculous. If I breathe as fast as he does, I get dizzy (besides, it's a lot of effort!).

Here are my questions:

1. Is it bad for me to be breathing his stale air? Am I just being silly?

2. Is there a way I can make him breathe slower? *grin*

3. Is it bad for him to be breathing faster than I? He's in better shape than I am (he's military, so doing physical stuff all of the time, including exercise in the morning), but maybe I'm just naturally a better breather. Give me something, here, the man is skinny and strong, I want *something* over him. Ha!

So those are my idle questions.

Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :

My (slighty educated) guesses:

1. Not ideal, but not harmful. A little.

2. No.

3. Not necessarily. He may breathe shallower (hence more frequently). It may have something to do with the 9 pound weight on his ribcage. If he's in otherwise good health it probably doesn't indicate anything.

If he's a smoker or something (or asthmatic) I might answer differently.

Posted by Tante Shvester (Member # 8202) on :

Good golly, you don't have enough to worry about without making up stuff?

Go ahead a breathe at the same time as your husband -- as long as you don't seal the room with plastic sheeting and duct tape, there is enough oxygen for everyone.

Don't make yourself nuts trying to synchronize your breathing. He might be breathing faster because you are leaning on his lungs. There is a normal range of respiratory rates -- breathe at a rate that is comfortable for you, for Pete's sake, and stop worrying.

Sheesh!

Posted by jexx (Member # 3450) on :

I'm not worried, really, just something I've been thinking about, as I said, idly. I have to do *something* while he watches wretched Nascar. Heh.

Plus, I wanted to be a 'better' breather. [Wink]

Posted by mackillian (Member # 586) on :

I hate breathing stale air. Hate.

Posted by fiazko (Member # 5812) on :

Hmmm, I don't think there is a way to put this that doesn't sound weird. I have known people--ok, guys--whose breath I didn't mind breathing in. I am tempted to think it has something to do with attraction, although I would not want to breath the breath of all the guys I've ever been attracted to. My point is, either you've got something against breathing in other people's breath in general, or there is just something about your husband's breath that is not attractive to you. Either way, you're not completely silly. And have you tried laying so that he's basically breathing on the back of your head? That might help.

Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :

I don't like breathing "second hand" air, either. I think because it's warmer and moister. I just adjust my head/the covers/ whatever's causing it so I get some fresh. [Smile]

Posted by Theaca (Member # 8325) on :

How very funny. Sometime when he is not looking, quietly time his breathing. How many breaths per minute? Do this while he is reading or watching TV. I don't have time to answer the questions now.