What if I told you there was something you could do right now (and hopefully ARE doing right now) that’s totally free and requires no equipment?
It will:
- Increase your energy,
- Sharpen your mind,
- Reduce anxiety,
- Boost your immune system,
- Lower blood pressure and
- Improve your digestion.
WOW! What is this wonderful thing?
Breathing
Oxygen is essential for life in an urgent, you’ve got 3 minutes without it before some serious damage gets done, kind of way. (Unless you happen to be one of those highly trained free divers. But don’t try that one at home!)
When it comes to the other life essentials like water and food you’ve got around 3-5 days and 30-40 days respectively before you’re toast.
What is breathing?
Breathing (or pulmonary ventilation) is the air exchange between your lungs and the atmosphere. Red blood cells, thanks to a molecule called hemoglobin, pick up inspired oxygen from the lungs and take it all throughout the body, exchanging it for carbon dioxide which is then expired on the exhaling breath 1.
The majority of atmospheric air we breathe is composed of nitrogen (78%) but it’s the 21% of
Of all the organs in the body, the brain has the most voracious appetite for oxygen carving up a 25% share for itself. Reduced oxygen in the brain results in a decrease in mental alertness, apathy and poor judgment 3. Good digestion also requires a lot of oxygen and poor breathing can result in bloating, constipation and reduced nutrient absorption 4.
The average person takes over 21,600 breaths per day so you’d think with this amount of practice you’d be a breathing expert. The reality, though, is if you are predominantly an indoor, office dwelling, keyboard warrior you probably suck at it.
Sitting down at
3 tips for better breathing:
- Get in touch with your diaphragm
The diaphragm is a dome
What you don’t want for everyday breathing is to be using your neck and shoulder muscles. These accessory muscles should only be coming in to play if you are doing
If you’ve ever done a yoga class chances are you’ve had instruction in this technique and it is easier to get the idea of it lying down.
Benefits of diaphragmatic breathing
- Air reaches more of your lung surface area resulting in better oxygenation of your cells and tissues 7;
- Movement of the diaphragm helps move the fluid in your lymphatic system resulting in improved immune function and detoxification 8;
- Reduces the pressure in your chest and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard 9;
- “The nose is for breathing, the mouth is for eating” Proverb
Yep! Teach yourself to breathe through your nose. Your nose has tiny hairs (
It also moistens and warms the airs making air exchange more efficient 1.
Nose breathing may also benefit your relationship as it significantly reduces the incidence of snoring 6!
- Breathe slowly
Animals that breathe slowly may live longer. The giant tortoise takes 4 breaths per minute and racks up a
Slow regular breathing activates the Vagus nerve and promotes the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system “rest and digest” and reduces the sympathetic nervous system “flight or fight”.
This breathing style increases both the oxygen to your tissues and the endorphins – neurotransmitters that reduce pain and stress 10. Good building blocks to a long and healthy life!
If you are breathing with your diaphragm you will naturally be breathing more slowly due to an increased lung volume. There are many different techniques for slow breathing. In
Breathing for treatment of health conditions
Deep, controlled breathing is used to support
- Research has shown that a regular, deep breathing practice can have both
and immediate and longer-term impact on mood. Small trials have shown maximum benefit at 3 months for 5 minutes twice a day practice on modulating nervous system function 11.
- A study of 26 people found that controlled deep breathing resulted in a 20% improved
post meal insulin response. This may have benefits in the management of diabetes 12.
- Two studies using Buteyko breathing technique on subjects with asthma noted a 50% decrease in the use of bronchodilators and 85% reduction in steroid medication after 6 months and concluded that it was a beneficial complementary treatment 13,14.
How does breathing work?
The mechanism of action is believed to be via stretch receptors in the lungs that activate a cardio-vagal
An essential part of your health
Respiration is our most essential physiological function that not only keeps our body functioning but also regulates our emotions 6. Being conscious of your breathing technique can reap huge health benefits….and did I mention it’s FREE.
Maybe it’s time you tuned into your breath. I’d love to hear about how a breathing practice has changed your health. Please share your story in the comments below.
Norelle Hentschel is a degree qualified Naturopath and operates a clinic in Crows Nest, Sydney. She enjoys helping people reach their optimal health. You can book a consultation with her here.
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References:
- Tortora G, Derrickson B. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 12th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Willey & Sons; 2009.
- Ward J. Physiology of breathing I. Surg. 2005;23(11):419–424. doi:10.1383/surg.2005.23.11.419.
- Brown RP, Gerbang PL. Sudarshan Kriya yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: Part I — neurophysiologic model. J Altern Complement Med. 2005;11(1):189–201. doi:10.1089/acm.2005.11.189.
- Farré R, Tack J. Food and symptom generation in functional gastrointestinal disorders: physiological aspects. Am J Gastroenterol. 2013;108(5):698–706. doi:10.1038/ajg.2013.24.
- Badr C, Elkins MR, Ellis ER. The effect of body position on maximal expiratory pressure and flow. Aust J Physiother. 2002;48(2):95–102. doi:10.1016/S0004-9514(14)60203-8.
- Jerath R, Edry JW, Barnes V a., Jerath V. Physiology of long pranayamic breathing: Neural respiratory elements may provide a mechanism that explains how slow deep breathing shifts the autonomic nervous system. Med Hypotheses. 2006;67(3):566–571. doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2006.02.042.
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- Wollburg E, Roth WT, Kim S. Effects of breathing training on voluntary hypo-and hyperventilation in patients with Panic Disorder and Episodic Anxiety. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback. 2011;36:81–91.
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