Breathing is a natural and unconscious activity that humans do. You will breathe easier if you have a healthy pair of lungs. Oxygen and other gases are inhaled filling your lungs with the help of the diaphragm, a muscle beneath your lungs that does about 80 percent of the work and eventually sends out the gas waste.
Breathing becomes harder for people with respiratory problems such as asthma and COPD. This is because your lungs are spongy. Over time, your lungs lose their ability to return to the same level when you begin breathing, causing some air to get trapped in the lungs. In the long haul, the buildup of air can prevent the diaphragm from contracting and supplying fresh oxygen needed due to less room in the lungs.
The muscles in the neck, back and chest are used to help you breathe when the diaphragm is not working at its full capacity which can result in lower oxygen intake and less supply for doing certain activities, such as working out.
When to Perform?
You are recommended to perform breathing exercises regularly. This is advised so that your lungs can clear out accumulated stale air, improve oxygen intake, and encourage diaphragm to work at its full capacity.
Practicing on a daily basis can help you keep your airways open longer while making you breathe slower and deeper.
How to Perform?
Breathing exercises can be done by breathing in through your nose and letting the air exit as you breathe out, at least twice as long, through your mouth. Different breathing techniques may require a longer or shorter duration to practice. However, anyone can practice such exercise depends on the goal and your own condition.
You can do it anywhere and any time of day. Even when you are busy, it will not take a lot of your time. These are steps of a simple breathing exercise you can begin with :
- Find a comfortable position. Lying down or sitting down would be the best.
- Focus on your breath.
- Inhale through your nose slowly, feel the air fill your lungs.
- Exhale through your mouth slowly, feel the air leave your lungs.
- Note how your breath gets deeper when you concentrate on your breathing and doing it slowly.
- Repeat these steps for a few minutes and do it regularly a few times a day.
You may find it tiring when you first begin, but as the saying goes practice makes perfect. You will get the hang of it and get used to the breathing technique. The deeper your breaths are, the more oxygen intake you will get which results in reduced stress, relieved pain, reduced anxiety, and overall well-being.
If you are interested in how Australians improve their overall health and wellbeing, you can join our free WellO2 Breathing Club. Complete your routine with the support of WellO2 breathing exercise device. Our device is an excellent choice for breathing and respiratory problems.
