Stop Breathing So Much
Breathing seems to be the hot topic of the week in the health world. First, a recent study revealed that poor eating habits can lead to asthma and other lung-related problems in teenagers. Then, a separate study stated that fruit and fish oil can help counteract the problem and actually improve lung function (add that to the ever-increasing list of fish oil benefits!).
With all this talk about breathing, the Buteyko Institute of Breathing and Health says we need to stop doing it so much. Now, before you start attempting the world record for holding your breath (which is around 9 minutes — good luck!), you just need to slow down.
With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, many of us have developed the bad habit of "over breathing" or breathing too fast. Though many people only need a slight adjustment, others even suffer from a condition known as chronic hyperventilation, which has been linked to a variety of health problems including asthma, snoring, heart problems, and allergies.
The key at first is to simply become aware of your breathing, feeling the sensation as you inhale and exhale. Once you consciously make an effort to take longer, slower, and deeper breaths, your body will begin to adapt, until you no longer have to think about it.
Try thinking about your breathing for the rest of this week, and you will begin to feel a difference in your overall energy levels and mental clarity. At times you will completely forget, but as soon as you think about it, start practicing your new, more efficient breathing patterns again.
For more information on a specific quick exercise to practice proper breathing, click here.
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