Why do we sometimes hold our breath when concentrating hard on a tricky task?
• A tricky task boosts stress levels and it is well documented that holding one’s breath is associated with stress: it is part of the fight or flight response. Scuba-diving training emphasises the need to breathe, especially when heading for the surface; otherwise there is a danger that a panicked diver will make a dash for the safety of the surface but hold their breath in the process, risking a burst lung.
There may be an evolutionary origin; holding one’s breath may well have reduced the chances of being detected by predator or prey. And whether shooting with a modern rifle or a blowpipe, aim is more accurate when the breath is carefully controlled or held.
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As well as holding their breath, people often stick out their tongue when concentrating, behaviour that appears to be hardwired from birth. When full, a baby will stick out his or her tongue, which is nigh on impossible to bypass.
In older people, sticking out your tongue appears to signal that other inputs, such as your hearing, are not being attended to, which may discourage interruption. It would be interesting to measure how breathing is affected when people stick out their tongue.
Mike Follows, Willenhall, West Midlands, UK