Breathing is necessary for life, constantly taking in life-sustaining oxygen. By breathing deeply, you allow the diaphragm (a muscle) to drop downward, the rib cage expand and create more space for your lungs to inflate. By allowing more space for your lungs to inflate you can take in more air and thus, more oxygen. By mastering deep breathing, increased oxygen flows into your body and eventually helping the heart to slow its pace to create a sense of calmness and relaxation.
Breathing also releases toxins. About 70% of our toxins are released from our body through our breath. Carbon dioxide is a natural waste product from your body's metabolism. By breathing deeply, you assist the body release these toxins more effectively.
Here are additional health benefits of deep breathing:
Deep Breaths Calm Your Nervous System- Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the system which can bring you into a more relaxed state. It functions in the opposite way of your sympathetic system, which produces fight-or-flight reactions to stress and danger. This can also assist in reducing or calming pain.
Deep Breaths Assist Your Immune System- Your lymphatic system assists in collecting fluids, which can contain bacteria, viruses and dead cells. The lymphatic system depends on gravity, muscle movement and the benefits of breath to keep flowing.
Deep Breaths Improve Your Mental State- The quality of your breath helps relax your mind and enhance your ability to learn, focus and concentrate. The brain requires a great deal of oxygen to function. Deep breathing helps you relax the mind and enhance the ability to focus.
How to Deep Breath-
Have you ever watched a baby breath? Their bellies and chest rise and fall together with each breath. This is an optimal way to breath. You can practice this by lying on your back. Start by focusing on your stomach rise as you breath in through your nose and your belly lower as you release air through your nose on exhale. Try to feel the breath in your belly as you inhale. Take in air slowly through your nose until your lungs are full and then slowly release through your nose.
Repeat this daily. Take time in the morning and evening to deep breath. You can also use this to manage stress throughout the day while sitting or standing.
