The Right Breathing Method

We must breathe in order to live. This is a common statement known to us all. Yet very few of us are really aware of the actual process of breathing. We do know that oxygen is essential for us, but most of us are unaware that carbon dioxide is mandatory for our bodily needs too.

Incorrect breathing automatically reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in our blood leading to constriction of blood vessels. This in turn lessens the amount of oxygen reaching our vital organs.  The effect may be manifested as anginal pain, muscular cramps and fibrosis. Sleep problems and anxiety hampering concentration may often be found in people breathing incorrectly.

Here are a few steps to breathe healthily:

Inhaling and exhaling through the nose is much healthier than breathing through the mouth. As the nostrils are smaller in size than the mouth the volume of air entering the body is reduced too.

You can try breathing with the abdomen instead of the chest for a while. An easy way is that one should sit in a relaxed position with a hand on the stomach and another on your chest. Look carefully and check whether the hand on your abdomen moves with each breath while the one on your chest remains motionless. Try to practice this method of breathing and once you have mastered it try to breathe similarly even while walking or moving around.

You also need to minimize your breathing. Instead of inhaling in great gulps try to make your breathing shallow. Check this out by placing your hand on your abdomen. The optimum breathing rate should be around 6 to 8 breathes per minute.

You also need to focus on developing a steady rhythmic breathing pattern. It will also help you to overcome holding your breath for irregular periods of time. You will soon begin to breathe correctly if you can practice the method at least thrice a day for minimum 3 minutes.