There’s a right way to breathe | Lifestyle.INQ

OCTOBER 27, 2022

It’s the little things that count, to quote a particular cliché.

And this has never been more true than today, most especially in the field of wellness. While a little knowledge can be dangerous, especially if we do not see the big picture or the consequences of what we do or do not do, there are some things we should know. By including a positive thing or adopting a good habit each day, we can achieve two important goals: live longer, and look better.

What is it that you do—whether consciously or unconsciously, by rote, memory or instinct—that is repeated day after day?  Apart from breathing, eating, sleeping, working, exercising and praying, what fills your day? Let’s focus on the vital force: breathing.

We don’t need to think hard about the importance of breathing; we need to breathe to live. But just how do you breathe? The key to good health is to be conscious about breathing. This may sound so elementary, and yet, toddlers breathe about 20-30 times per minute, while older children and adults could take anywhere from 12 to 16 breaths every 60 seconds and 840 breaths per hour.

At rest, average breathing rates could be 17,000-20,000 breaths a day. The figure increases when one is exercising, around 40-50 breaths/minute. Can you imagine breathing 20,000 breaths a day and about 8,400,000 a year?!  (Source: wonderpolis.org, John Hopkins Medicine)

Whether you know it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to breathe.

Bad breathing can have dire effects on the body. It could lead to indigestion, mood disorders, muscle cramps, less vitality. Affected parts of the body include the brain and nervous system. Poor posture leads to breathing improperly.

Poor circulation

The brain uses 20 percent of the oxygen we breathe. A shortage of oxygen equals a brain that is incapacitated.

Less oxygen in the blood leads to poor circulation. So, every time you have cold hands and feet, you might not be breathing well enough. Think about it.

The heart needs to pump oxygenated blood through the body. Help your heart by breathing right.

The musculatory system becomes stiff and inflexible if it runs on little oxygen.  The result: tension, cramps, and, worst of all, you get tired faster.

There is a proverb that bears repeating: “The nose is for breathing, while the mouth is for eating.”

Here are five ways to breathe properly.

Use your nose. The lesson here is not to breathe through your mouth. The nose has fine hairy filters to screen bacteria viruses and pollutants. Your mouth doesn’t have any filter. The nose refines the air you breathe, while the mouth can take in unfiltered air.

Many people walk around with stuffy noses. One cause could be breathing through the mouth.

Breathe like a baby. Newborn babies do this instinctively: breathing through the diaphragm. Take a closer look at how an infant breathes—the upper part of their tummy (where the diaphragm is located) moves up and down while breathing.  Good breathing involves the diaphragm and muscles of the neck, shoulders, chest and abdomen. Air should pass through the nose and go straight to your belly. This increases the capacity of the lungs.

Believe it or not, an oxygenated diaphragm gives the stomach, liver and intestines rhythmic balance through conscious breathing.

Relaxed breathing. Don’t rush or tense up. Stay calm and think relaxing thoughts while breathing. This is the best stress reliever of all. When you are in a state of relaxation, your breathing influences the body in a positive way.

Follow your inner rhythm. There is a pace that your body follows. If you go against it, you can disrupt the natural flow or order of things within you. Practice silence and awareness.

Embrace silence. Keep still—at least for seven minutes. Close your eyes. Be aware of your breathing. Place your hand on your diaphragm. Inhale through your nose, slowly. Keep your back straight. Push air slowly through your belly. Hold your breath. Exhale through the nose. Repeat until you reach your blissful moment.

This week’s affirmation: “I become perfectly well with every breath I take.”

Love and light!

(Reference:  www.selfication.com)

E-mail the author at  coryquirino1@yahoo.com

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