Breathability NZ

30/03/2026

Getting a good nights sleep can be easier said than done. Plan in something relaxing to do like watching the clouds go by, lying on the sofa in the sun or reading a book you would read for fun. Our bodies and brain need down time so pick something that helps you to switch off every day. Being tired and wired contributes to poor sleep. What will you do to help your body have more moments of rest?


www.breathability.nz

23/03/2026

March 13th was World Sleep day and how many of us know that poor sleep affects how clearly we think, make decisions and how we perceive our situation or circumstances. Pain even feels worse on the back of poor sleep. Our first tip to sleep well this month is consider not using bright lights this includes using devices with back lit screens before bed. Give yourself a two hour window and see what difference it makes.


www.breathability.nz
www.jennifermepham.com

14/03/2026

The Long COVID journey is very real condition bringing challenges unique to those living with the ongoing and fluctuating symptoms and the hardest part of this journey we hear from people living with Long COVID is that their families, friends or health professionals do not believe them.
The 15th March is International Long COVID awareness day. Long COVID is diagnosed following Covid 19 when symptoms continue for longer than 3 months. It can affect people who have had mild acute Covid 19 illness to being so unwell an admission to hospital was required. There are over 200 documented symptoms; respiratory physiotherapy can help people living with fatigue, post exertional malaise, breathlessness, brain fog, breathing pattern changes, POTS, joint pain and poor sleep.
For those of you who don't know, Breathability was developed to support people to access Long COVID education and management strategies no matter where they live. Catherine and Jen run Long COVID clinics to support people face to face and work to provide education to other health professionals.
Today is about honouring those who are living with Long COVID, we see you, we support you and thank you for the advocacy you have done to get the condition recognised. Please keep the faith and hold onto hope.

www.breathability.nz

24/02/2026

We are very proud of Catherine's contribution toward a systematic review of the role of breathing pattern in Functional dissociative seizures. There is much more work to be done but a noteworthy start. Well done Catherine and the research team! For more information you can read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505026000405

The Lung Mechanic

23/02/2026

Did you find a way to chill out and notice your body let go and your breathing find a calmer rhythm?
Can you make this a part of your routine to experience the letting go more often? It doesn't have to be at the beach, (or in a hammock!) just where you feel most rested and getting to the space doesn't add to your mental load.

16/02/2026

Being outside can help reduce cortisol levels ( a multi function hormone in the body that plays a role in stress) and reduce muscle tension and anxiety.
Take a moment to just be outside this week and notice how it helps you to regulate your breathing



📸Jen Mepham. Smails beach Dunedin, NZ

08/02/2026

Heart health awareness month: Quitting smoking will benefit your heart health and your breathing. In just 8 hours of being smoke free the oxygen levels increase and by 1 month the lung function increases by 30%!
We don’t want you to do this without support, the quit line has heaps of resources check them out https://quit.org.nz/help-to-quit-smoking

(source:https://www.smokefree.org.nz/quit/tips-and-advice/the-benefits-of-quitting)

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05/02/2026

Here is a friendly pair of feet to remind you to carve our some time to relax this Waitangi weekend. Its when we make the time to let our bodies be calm and rested that we can get the foundation strong to breathe well.

www.breathability.nz

04/02/2026

February is here already and what better way to start the month than with a public holiday weekend. For those of you following along on the breathing tips, having time every day when you can support your body to wind down and switch off is really helpful for restful breathing. We know its harder to do this if you live with a long term condition and have to work hard to advocate for yourself. What do you enjoy doing that helps you to really switch off from the daily grind? Tell us in the comments below or better yet, tell someone who will encourage you to do it more often.

www.breathability.nz

02/02/2026

February is Heart Health Awareness month: Eating nourishing food is a known way to influence heart health. Being with people we love can help us to relax. The Heart Foundation has some suggestions food changes this summer, perfect timing if you are having a BBQ with friends this Waitangi weekend.

https://www.heartfoundation.org.nz/about-us/news/blogs/six-tips-for-a-healthy-bbq.

Edited to correct a typo.

With warmer weather and longer evenings, BBQs are back! It’s time for fresh, exciting salads, outdoor dining and catching up with friends and family. We share our top tips for great tasting, heart-healthy barbecuing this summer.

26/01/2026

Now that you have spent time noticing your breathing lets see how efficient it is, which means how much energy you put into breathing. The most energy efficient way to breathe is to use your nose and when you breathe in. When the tummy rises and falls is means the diaphragm is moving and fun fact, needs to do about 80% of the work. The top hand may not move, its OK if it moves a little bit. Then your breath out should be longer than the breath in. Take some time to compare what your breathing does when you are working or under pressure, compared to how your breathing is when you are feeling chilled and calm.

25/01/2026

Sunday Inspo from and

Whatever needs doing, you can do it. Whatever you’re going through, you will get through it

Image: https://www.instagram.com/allontheboard