Monday 13 November 2006
All of us breathe. But how well do we do it?
It might be hard to believe but many of us don’t know how to breathe properly. Now I know what you’re thinking. Breathing is so fundamental, so elementary and so easy that only an idiot wouldn’t know how to do it. Right? Well, it’s not that simple.
For most of us, breathing is something that we take for granted. We inhale. And then we exhale. Usually it’s through our nose but there are times when our mouth helps out – like when we’ve been engaging in physical exercise or are experiencing a significant amount of anxiety or stress.
But just because it’s one of those automatic processes doesn’t mean that we’re doing it at our full potential.
Perhaps the best place to begin is to remind ourselves why we breathe in the first place. At a young age we are taught that all living things need oxygen to survive. And we human beings are no exception. Every organ, muscle and cell in every one of us must have oxygen to live.
Oxygen is in fact so vital that if we are deprived of it, we die. It’s as simple as that. You can do without food and water for days. But just try holding your breath for even a few seconds and you’ll find your body craving this all-important and life-sustaining nutrient.
And we have to get enough oxygen. For example, a stroke can be triggered by lack of oxygen to the brain. If the heart doesn’t get its required amount, then the result can be a heart attack. Moreover, it’s been shown in laboratories that when cells aren’t given a sufficient supply of oxygen, they can become cancerous.
The other important function that breathing serves is to rid the body of waste and toxins, namely carbon dioxide. When athletes are taught proper breathing techniques, it’s not just to get oxygen. Efficient exhaling removes carbon dioxide from the blood, which if it remains results in sore muscles.
Even our mental states are affected by breathing. Researchers have shown that poor respiration reduces performance on tests and increases irritability. Equally, they have proved that exposing people to stressful situations induces inadequate breathing. Who hasn’t been told at some point to take some deep breaths and calm down?
What Western medicine is now confirming Eastern tradition has known for thousands of years. Indian yogis have used their breathing to attain altered states of awareness and enter higher levels of consciousness. Chi kung masters use breathing to help energy flow through their bodies. And those experienced in meditation find that conscious breathing reduces tension, stress and pain.
Unfortunately, most of us breathe too quickly. This results in shallow breaths that use but a fraction of our lung capacity. The reasons for this are many. Today we have too much to do and are too busy to breathe properly. We live under constant attack of stress, tension and anxiety. And because the air that surrounds many of us in our cities and offices is so polluted, the body reacts by reducing what it takes in. As a result, many of us are literally starving ourselves of what we need to live.
The good news is that we change and we can learn to breathe properly. The bad news is that it will take some effort. But like all things in life you will get out of it what you put into it. And if feeling better and experiencing an improved state of health is possible, then I’d say it’s well worth the time spent.
Allow me to share my tips for better breathing:
- Breathe through your nose. It might seem obvious but many of us regularly breathe through our mouths.
- Breathe slowly. If you slow down the process of inhaling, you will automatically breathe deeper.
- Don’t hold your breath. Let the process happen naturally. Breathe in slowly and then exhale slowly. Let your body take the lead. It will do what it needs to do.
- Be aware of your posture. If you’re slouching, then you’re constricting your lungs and preventing your diaphragm from functioning fully.
- Set aside a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing. As with anything else, practice makes perfect.
Whether you’re struggling with headaches, trying to lose weight, going through menopause or just trying to enjoy a better life and sense of wellbeing paying attention to how you breathe could be just what you need. Like I said earlier, just because it’s something that we do instinctively doesn’t mean it’s something we can’t improve on.
So let’s take our breathing like we ought to take life – slow and easy!
We participate in illness as much as we do wellness. In short, you should be asking yourself these questions. How’s your health? Is your energy flowing as it should? Are you learning the lessons life is trying to teach you? My Medical Intuitive Readings answer these questions with a comprehensive analysis of your energetic body. Book your reading here and learn more.
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And don’t forget to visit PsychicBridges. This week I encourage everyone to get out there and plant a tree. You know, it very well could save the world! Read my article in full.
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Until next week,
Kindest regards,
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