

7 Essential Points How Deep Breathing Can Have A Positive Impact On Your Life

Written: 10/24/2007

Recently I have been feeling very tired during the day and was always falling asleep whenever I was reading some books or resting somewhere. I was very perplexed about it before realising that I had completely stopped my daily morning and night deep breathing exercise. Deep breathing is essential to everyone especially to those leading a sedentary life like students and people working in enclosed offices.

We often don't realise that quick and shallow breathing just help to sustain the strict minimum but vital oxygenation of our body organs and cells. I am sure that the only moment you practise deep breathing is when your are short of breath after running to catch the bus or taxi to get to work or return home.

So to avoid such tiredness and be more fit to tackle a hard day's work, here is a simple solution : DEEP BREATHING

Always start your deep breathing exercises where there is a good air circulation; either in your balcony, garden or in front of your window in case you can't afford open spaces. Deep breathing brings a lot of benefits to all parts of your body and also to your physique.

Here are the benefits of deep breathing:

  1. Boost your brain

    Despite having a good nutrient circulation towards the brain, it cannot function to its optimum level unless it is fed with a rich supply of oxygen. A brain deprived of a rich oxygen supply can be damaged irreversibly. So ensure a good supply of oxygen to your brain by practising deep breathing as often as you can. It will enhance your brain's performance.

  2. Lose weight

    Deep breathing also helps you to lose weight as they boost your metabolism. When you inhale longer you take in much more oxygen. It is then distributed to the cells which can practise more aerobic respiration (the most effective combustion of food which uses oxygen as a fuel. You get water and carbon dioxide as a by-product. The carbon dioxide is eliminated when you breathe out). However when you take in short, unregular, rapid breaths, a certain amount of cells is distributed with a smaller percentage of its usual oxygen consumption which leave the cells with no option than to use anaerobic respiration. (The nutrients in the food are only partially broken down and the by-products are either reused later or stocked as reserves in the form of fat most of the time.)

  3. Improve your circulatory system

    The blood circulation also benefits a lot from deep breathing. The more oxygen we inhale, the better it is for our circulatory system as far more wastes and toxins are dumped in the blood to be excreted. This implies your cells, tissues and organs in good health and better working conditions and you have a more stable body condition.

  4. Get rid of stress

    Deep breathing is also a good weapon to fight stress. It releases endorphins(secretions of well being) into the system. This can help relieve headaches, sleeplessness, backaches and other stress related aches and pains. This is why it is advised to take deep breaths before tackling stressful situations.

  5. Improve your digestive system

    Deep breathing helps toughen most of the abdominal muscles and organs. When taking in deep breath and exhaling long enough, one can feel his belly's muscles working in collaboration with the thorax. These contractions and relaxations keep them in good working conditions as well as the internal organs like the stomach and liver which are also massaged during the upward and downward mouvements of the abdominal cavity. Deep breathing is also linked to a better digestion and absorbtion of nutrients in the blood streams. Since the blood is richer in oxygen the cells are more efficient in their specific functions.

  6. Improve your heart

    Deep breathing also helps the heart in doing its job as the latter has to pump less frequently. A lower heart rate reduces excess pressure thus preventing hypertension(high blood pressure in th blood vessels) which is a case when the heart has to pump more vigourously to be able irrigate all organs with blood. Consequences of prolonged exposure to high blood pressure by organs leads to brain damage, renal failure and even heart failure due to overworking of the heart muscles.

  7. Improve your sleep and/or nap

    Deep breathing furthermore helps in having a good night sleep. This is the reason why it is said we should never cover our head with our blankets while sleeping. The brain cells are deprived of oxygen and cannot function properly and hence cannot give correct directives to the other organs working under its control.

Note: It is also advised to take a small nap of 15-30 minutes a day during the afternoon to increase your own performance, creativity and productivity.

- Harry

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