You’re breathing already, automatically, all the time – about 25 000 BREATHS A DAY. But are you really breathing? Probably, not. Did you know that breathing detoxifies, releases toxins and strengthens the immune system? Probably not, too.
Did you know that around 70% of our toxins are released from our body through our breath? For example, Carbon dioxide, a natural waste product of your body’s metabolism.
In a nutshell… our breath detoxifies, releases toxins and strengthens the immune system.
Here’s a list of 7 Health benefits you can get from Deep Breathing:
1. BREATHING INCREASES ENERGY
Oxygen is the most essential natural resource required by our cells. We can go without food for up to 40 days and without water for 3 days, yet we can die after just a few minutes of not breathing. From a purely physical point of view, breath equals life.
2. BREATHING IMPROVES THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
One of the benefits of breathing deeply is that it helps to release tension in the diaphragm and primary breathing muscles, relieving many long-term respiratory issues such as asthma and breathlessness.
3. BREATHING CALMS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing us into a relaxed state. It functions in the opposite way to the sympathetic nervous system, which stimulates activities associated with the fight-or-flight response.
4. BREATHING RELEASES MUSCLE TENSION
When we are stressed or experience uncomfortable feelings such as anger or pain, our breath becomes shallow and our muscle tissues contract, protecting us like a shield. Deep breathing helps to release this.
5. BREATHING IMPROVES THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Deep diaphragmatic breathing tones, massages and increases circulation to the heart, liver, brain and reproductive organs.
In one study of heart attack patients, 100% of the patients were chest breathers whose breathing involved very little diaphragm or belly expansion.
Another study found that patients who survived a heart attack and who adopted an exercise regime and breath training afterward experienced a 50% reduction in their risk factor of another heart attack over the following 5 years.
6. BREATHING ELEVATES THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
The benefits of deeper breathing include increased blood flow in the digestive department, which encourages intestinal action and improves overall digestion, alleviating irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. In addition, deeper breathing results in a calmer nervous system which in turn enhances a better digestion.
7. BREATHING AFFECTS OUR MENTAL STATE
The quality of our breath helps to relax the mind and enhance the ability to learn, focus, concentrate and memorize. The brain requires a great deal of oxygen to function and increased intake of oxygen helps us to achieve clarity and feel grounded and productive. It also relieves stress, anxiety, depression and negative thought patterns. The benefits of breathing properly can help us overcome addictive patterns of behavior and eating disorders, as well as igniting creativity and passion.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH NOW, AND RIDE THAT WAVE INTO YOUR BODY. FOLLOW IT, FEEL IT, EXPERIENCE IT. YOUR BREATH IS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN MIND, BODY AND SOUL. CONNECT WITH YOUR BREATH, AND YOU CAN CONNECT WITH WHO YOU TRULY ARE.