When you hyperventilate, you breathe much faster and deeper than your body actually needs. Your chest heaves rapidly, you gulp air in quick gasps, and you might feel dizzy or lightheaded.

Hyperventilation often happens when someone panics or feels extremely anxious. Imagine a student who suddenly realizes they studied the wrong chapter right before a big test: their breathing might speed up uncontrollably as worry takes over.

Here's what makes it tricky: when you hyperventilate, it feels like you can't get enough air, so you breathe even faster, which actually makes the problem worse. You're breathing out too much carbon dioxide, which throws off your body's balance.

Athletes might hyperventilate before a race from nervous energy. Someone who gets startling news might start hyperventilating. People who hyperventilate are often told to slow their breathing down by taking slow, steady breaths until their body returns to its normal rhythm.