Habit Hunters

Lisa V Kusch
Sep 12
3 min read

Picture this: You're sitting across from a client who's been through the medical wringer. Anxiety, chronic fatigue, sleep issues, digestive problems, brain fog. They've seen specialists, run tests, tried medications. Everything comes back "normal," yet they're still suffering.

What if I told you the answer might be right under their nose?

Here's the uncomfortable truth: Most wellness professionals are terrible at spotting dysfunctional breathing—not because we lack skill, but because we're looking in all the wrong places.

The Great Screening Deception

Traditional breathing assessments are like trying to understand a symphony by listening to a single note. We check respiratory rate, observe chest movement, maybe ask about shortness of breath during exercise.

But the most profound breathing dysfunction happens in plain sight: during rest, conversation, and daily activities. It's subtle and persistent.

Research shows up to 60% of adults have dysfunctional breathing patterns, undiagnosed for years. Why? Because we're screening for disease when we should be hunting for learned behavioral habits.

Medical model asks: "Is the system broken?

"Better question: "What has this breathing system learned, and is it serving this person?"

The Behavioral Revolution

Breathing is a learned behavior—acquired, practiced, reinforced.

"Breathing is much more than mechanics. Breathing habits arise from all sorts of circumstances in our lives. Breathing is learned and it also learns."

~Dr. Peter Litchfield

Every stressful event, trauma, or period of anxiety teaches the breathing system something. These lessons become automatic patterns.

The Three-Dimensional Hunt

Chemical Axis

Breathlessness beyond fitness level
Frequent sighing
Cannot hold breath over 15 seconds
Symptoms better with paper bag breathing
Hold post-inhale until urge to breathe. Under 20 seconds? That’s a red flag.

Mechanical Reality

Restricted ribcage, diaphragm or pelvic floor
Difficulty nose breathing
Effortful breathing at rest
Persistent upper chest movement
Professional secret: Perfect “technique” often hides inability to relax.

Contextual Web: Clinical settings aren’t real life. Dysfunctional breathing lives in context.

"When do you notice your breathing?"
"Describe your breath during tough conversations."
"What happens during intense focus?"
"How does breath change with different environments?"

The Self-Awareness Blind Spot

Most people with dysfunctional breathing don’t realize it—it developed gradually, feels normal.

It's like asking a fish about water.

Better questions:"Last time you felt truly relaxed?""When do you hold your breath?""What sensations come with anxiety?"

The Symptom Constellation

Dysfunctional breathing brings friends—over 300 symptoms/conditions are linked to dysfunctional breathing habits..

Anxiety
Sleep problems
Digestion issues
Chronic pain
Poor concentration
Temperature dysregulation

These often improve dramatically with breathing pattern correction—even when unrelated to respiration.

The Professional Plot Twist

Wellness pros have a unique power: We spend time, observe across states, and see patterns missed in medical appointments.

Observe:

Rapid talking with shallow breaths
Shoulders rise on inhale
Clients "forget" to breathe when concentrating

These are breadcrumbs to breakthrough insights.

Coming Up: The Arsenal

Part 2 lands next week, packed with actionable tools and a look at professional training beyond traditional breathwork.

Hands-on screening, assessment methods,
Details about the Functional Breathing Reset training.
Tools to transform client outcomes.

Are you ready to become a habit hunter?

Resource Section (Habit Flags)

Frequent sighing/talking without pausing
Restricted ribcage flexibility
Reliance on upper chest movement at rest
Can't nose breathe easily
Symptoms vary by context/environment
Symptoms respond to breathing reset (i.e., paper bag, slow exhale)
Self-report: rarely relaxed, frequent breath holding, anxiety triggers