How to breathe normally
I'm sorry if this sounds stupid, but I'm just now realizing that I don't know how to breathe properly. I've had severe OCD my whole life, and I've only learned recently that it's inadvertendly structured the way I breathe. I've gotten my OCD under control over decades, but my doctor said he could tell from years of low CO2 levels that I'm not breathing correctly. He said it could actually be contributing more to my body's stress because to the brain, shallow breathing = danger = more adrenaline and stress. So recently, I've been trying to take full deep breaths, and it just feels...wrong. Like my stomach distends and is uncomfortable. It's also a chore. I feel like I've gone too far the opposite way.
What's an appropriate breath? How much time does it take you guys to complete a breath (one inhale + one exhale)? Does your stomach come out all the way? How "full" do you fill your lungs before releasing? Should I just split the difference between full and shallow? Or is an appropriate breath different for everyone? I also find I hold my breath a lot accidentally. I realize and have to manually release. If anyone here has that habit, how do they learn to undo it?
Please be kind, I feel stupid asking for advice here, but I can't find answers online. I just keep getting referred to breathing exercises. I'm aware this isn't medical advice: I just want to know what's normal for everyone else.