Breathing accompanies us throughout life and is so natural that we are not even aware of it. The correct breathing technique is very important and can help with sports, health problems, and psychological discomfort and basically improve the overall quality of life.
With proper breathing, we can control anger, fear, and stress, which are fertile ground for various physical and psychological problems.
Concentration, as well as artistic activity, should begin with a focus on breathing, this will ensure that you get to the desired level faster.
What health problems can breathing help us with?
With proper breathing, it is mainly about effective health prevention, increasing immunity, and healthy longevity, it has an effect on the treatment of diseases of the respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, digestive system, as well as psychosomatic problems, it positively affects concentration and proper posture.
There was a saying in ancient China: The better you breathe, the longer you live.
With proper breathing, we fill with new air even those parts of the lungs that are poorly ventilated. With this exchange, we will improve the intake of oxygen for the whole organism. Up to 75% of the products created during the cellular work of our body leave the body through breathing. Hemoglobin, which is the carrier of oxygen, delivers oxygen to the cell and carries the products of cellular work to the lungs, where we exhale it. Correct and calm breathing affects the entire cardiovascular system and thus calms it down, which is especially important during stress as well as active workload. Another indisputable benefit is quieting the train of thought, relaxation, and even relaxation.
Scientists say that only 2 patients out of 1000 breathe correctly!
Three basic types of breathing
Breathing is accompanied by several phases. It is about inhaling, exhaling, and breathing pauses. One phase flows smoothly into the next, while the inhalation should be approximately the same length as the exhalation. We take a breath and pause spontaneously, according to the need for a breath. When breathing in, the respiratory muscles are tensed, and when breathing out, they relax again. In the breathing technique, we recognize three basic variations of breath: abdominal or diaphragmatic breath, chest breath, and subclavian breath.
Abdominal or diaphragmatic breath: When inhaling, the diaphragm descends, compressing the abdominal organs and pushing the abdominal wall forward. With the exhalation, the diaphragm rises back up and the abdominal wall returns to its original position. Unlike inhalation, exhalation is spontaneous and we do not influence it. Abdominal breathing enables the full use of lung capacity, naturally slows down and deepens breathing, and promotes relaxation. Abdominal breathing is used more by men than women.
Chest breath: With inhalation and lifting of the ribs, we expand the chest, with exhalation we let the ribs fall to their original position. With this breathing, air reaches the middle areas of the lungs, but they are filled less than with abdominal breathing, and the breath is faster and shallower. We breathe through our chest mainly in situations where we are under stress, nervousness, or tension. With such subconscious accelerated breathing, our mental state deteriorates and persists. In such moments, it is important to be aware of our breath, deepen it, and consciously breathe with our belly. Chest breathing is the most common in humans.
Subclavian breath: Air flows into the tips of the lungs. With inhalation, the upper part of the chest rises together with the clavicles, and with exhalation, it falls again. The breath is very fast and shallow. This is how we tend to breathe when we are afraid, under severe stress, and lack air.
Correct and healthy breathing
Healthy and natural breathing include all three types of breath. These are combined into the so-called continuous breath wave, which takes place from the bottom up with inspiration and from top to bottom during exhalation. With proper breathing, the abdomen moves forward with inhalation and the chest expands, and with exhalation, the chest and abdomen return to their original position. When we breathe in this way, we naturally and non-violently use the entire capacity of our lungs. Slow and smooth breathing stimulates brain activity, greatly facilitates the activity of the heart, and improves the function of internal organs.
Our breathing is connected to our minds. If we learn to control our breath, we can also control our minds and our life.
Do you want to try proper breathing? Place your hand on your stomach and relax. Focus on your breath while inhaling through your nose. You let the airflow through your belly into your full lungs and then let it out again freely through your mouth or nose. Such an exercise can also serve as a quick relaxation technique, for example, in case of stress, or when you need to calm down or concentrate on something important. You can practice deep breathing anytime, anywhere. And that while standing, sitting, or lying down, even completely inconspicuously without anyone noticing you.
Breathing should take place through the nose because it is more natural and healthy. The nasal mucosa warms and purifies the inhaled air. The mouth doesn't know that. You will appreciate it, especially in winter when the body is more susceptible to diseases.
Tip for you:
Try Correct and conscious breathing for at least ten minutes a day. It is also pleasant in the morning after waking up or in the evening before going to bed. If you practice proper breathing, the body will adapt and become automatic throughout the day. Experiment with breathing and see how quickly and effectively it affects the body, mind, and spirit.
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