Your breathing rate, or respiratory rate, is the number of breaths that you take per minute. The normal respiratory rate for adults is 12 to 18 breaths per minute, though your rate may have a different baseline depending on your age, size and level of fitness. In periods of stress, such as during exercise or under extreme anxiety, your breathing rate tends to increase. Regular measurement of your breathing rate will allow you to track changes in it over time, as well as to see the benefits of physical fitness on your cardiovascular system.
Step 1
Find a quiet location where you can lie down comfortably. Breathing rates are best measured at rest, when you are not excited or anxious. Allow yourself to lie down and normalize your breathing for at least five minutes before you start counting.
Step 2
Count your breaths for a full 60 seconds as measured on your stopwatch. You can visualize a breath by watching your chest rise. Count one breath for each time you see your chest rise for a normal breath. Record the number of breaths you take over the course of the 60 seconds.
Step 3
Repeat your measurement of breaths per minute at least two more times. Since breathing rate is generally a fairly low number, it can easily change over the course of 60 seconds. Therefore, an average of at least three measurements is the most accurate reflection of your true breathing rate.
Step 4
Calculate your breathing rate during additional times of the day to determine what fluctuations you experience. For example, once you know your resting breathing rate, you can determine the extent to which it increases during exercise. This will provide you an objective measurement of how hard your lungs and heart are working during exercise.
Tips and Warnings
- If your three measurements of breathing rates over 60 seconds are very different, measure the number of breaths you take over three minutes and divide by three instead. Measure your respiratory rate on a regular basis to track changes over time.
- If you find that your breathing rate is abnormally fast or slow at rest, you should discuss it with your doctor. Additionally, if you believe that your breathing rate is increasing abnormally during periods of exercise or stress, your physician may choose to investigate it further.
Things You'll Need
- Stopwatch
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