Breathe in, breathe out. You would think this vital function we have done since the moment we were born would not require lessons in how to do it properly. In fact, proper breathing habits can go a long way towards improving your quality of health. The process of delivering adequate amounts of oxygen throughout the body requires air exchange to take place in a full and complete cycle.
According to ehow.com, hecc lifestyles eventually take their toll on how well our body functions. Stress tightens up our muscles affecting how we inhale and exhale. The muscles of the abdomen, diaphragm and chest move less freely so we tend to breathe from the chest or throat areas. This means our lungs don’t fill completely when inhaling.
Here are a few ps to learn how to breathe properly and fully:
• Lie down on a rug or blanket on the floor with your legs straight and slightly apart, your toes pointed comfortably outwards, arms at your sides not touching your body, your palms up, and your eyes closed. This is called a “relaxed body” position. Take time to relax your body and breathe freely.
• It is best to breathe through your nose, as the ny hairs and mucous membranes filter out dust and toxins from the inhaled air. Keep your mouth closed as you breathe.
• As you breathe, your chest and abdomen should move together. If only the chest seems to rise and fall, your breathing is shallow and you are not making good use of the lower part of your lungs. As you inhale you should feel your abdomen rising; it is as if your stomach is filling with air.
• As you exhale, the abdomen comes back in, like a balloon releasing all of its air. This inhales and exhale process should continue comfortably and smoothly. The chest and abdomen should rise as you inhale and fall as you exhale. The chest should move only slightly.
