April 3, 2009 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer

Every single one of us - assuming we are alive - has been breathing literally from our very first moments following our births. It is something we do automatically without a lot of conscious thought. So you would think we would be pretty proficient after our many years of experience. Apparently that is not so.

Too many of us breathe shallowly, rapidly, or hold our breath. These bad breathing habits affect our health and stress levels, and thus, every part of our lives.

To breathe properly, we should be breathing slowly with a full inhale, with expansion of both the chest and abdomen, followed by a full exhale, which lasts longer than the inhale. A slight pause should occur between the exhale and inhale.

As the first air to reach your lungs, even with proper breathing, is what is left in your airways, when you breathe shallowly and/or rapidly, you are creating a buildup of carbon dioxide in your bloodstream as very little new fresh air (oxygen) is taken in. This buildup leads to all sorts of complications in the body, as well as making you feel stressed and unable to handle anything.

Take a moment and notice your breathing. Can you even tell that you are breathing? Slow it down if necessary...deepen the breaths...relax.

Slowly now...inhale...exhale...repeat.

"If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly." - Andrew Weil, M.D.

Beth

Click here to read the complete issue of The Chautauqua.

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.