Are you Breathing Optimally?
Breathing is essential to life. Despite its importance, we are rarely aware of the way we breathe. You may be surprised to learn that there are right and wrong ways to breathe, and you may also be surprised to learn that if you don't breathe correctly, it can negatively affect your health in the long run. What is optimal breathing? Stop and take a deep breath. When you breathe in, do your shoulders stretch your body up? Then, as you exhale, does the shoulder fall back and contract your chest? If your answer is yes, you are wrong. This is called vertical breathing. Although it feels like you're really opening up those lungs, you're just letting air into the top of them. The American Lung Association (ALA) offers the following tips on how to breathe properly. With his nose Breathing through the nose slows breathing and allows the lungs to work more efficiently. It also contributes to the uptake of nitric oxide, which helps transport oxygen around the body. Breathing through...