W L WELLBEING
BREATHING YOURSELF SLIM BY JOEL JELEN OF RESET BREATHING
Did you hear the one about the breathing re-trainer that can scientifically prove that by breathing less we can shed the pounds?
We’ ve long been told that deep breathing is really good for us especially when we are trying to relax in anticipation of a nervous moment in our lives. Strong scientific evidence now tells us that breathing too much or overbreathing, that is if you can hear yourself inhale and exhale or if you regularly sigh, yawn or pant when you are puffed out is bad for you.
A relatively new book by a breathing specialist colleague of mine Patrick McKeown maintains in The Oxygen Advantage that this is a big factor at the root of many ailments including anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and even obesity. Oxygen goes into our bloodstream when we breathe in and the body dumps carbon dioxide out of the bloodstream in return. Our bodies don’ t always know how much air we need just like sometimes we don’ t feel thirsty even if our bodies are dehydrated.
Have you ever found yourself gasping for air? Chances are that you need to stop exhaling too much carbon dioxide which plays a vital role in determining how much oxygen goes into the bloodstream. Carbon dioxide acts as a facilitator that loosens the bonds between our blood cells and the oxygen they carry which in turn allows oxygen to be released so it can reach our muscles and organs.
If you’ re tired and your brain and body aren’ t functioning properly, the results of which can be poor circulation and you often feel cold, there is a strong chance you need more carbon dioxide to release the oxygen you already have. Breathing more calmly is the answer. If you snore at night or become a habitual mouth breather during the day( breathe as often through your mouth as you eat through your nose) your carbon dioxide receptors can become oversensitive lowering their tolerance and triggering frequent urges to sigh, breathe deeply or gasp for air that your body doesn’ t really need.
Overbreathing tends to narrow the airways, limiting your body’ s ability to oxygenate your muscles and organs. It can construct blood vessels, leading to reduced bloodflow to the heart and can make you gain weight. Carbon dioxide is an essential element in regulating the pH level in the blood. This is the measure of how acidic or alkaline your blood is. Blood becomes very acidic often owing to an unhealthy diet and too much alcohol which will cause you to overbreathe as your body attempts to dump the excess carbon dioxide. If your blood is alkaline because your diet is rich in fruit and vegetables, your breathing can reduce to let carbon dioxide levels rise and restore pH.
For people who practise breathing habits, this will kickstart oxygen levels in the blood reducing their appetite and encouraging a more efficient digestion and processing of food. We encourage people to practise e. g.‘ light’ breathing exercises at least four times a day. One of these routines includes consciously making your breathing smaller and more shallow for a few minutes breathing through the nose and tummy which creates a slight hunger for air, then return to normal nasal breathing, then repeat.
If you are feeling stressed at work, break for a few minutes and take a walk. Pinch your nose and hold your breath for up to 5 seconds as you walk then breathe normally through your nose for 10 seconds or so and then repeat the process before returning to breathing normally again. Watch how it calms the mind and boosts carbon dioxide levels enough to give your brain, muscles and organs a quick oxygen and energy blast.
If you can comfortably walk and hold your breath for more than 12-15 seconds, try and build this into your exercise regime. This will force the body to work anaerobically for short bursts resulting in you being more likely to burn calories from fat stores and quicker weight loss. Also try and walk for at least 30 minutes every day breathing only through your nose.
For more information, visit www. resetbreathing. com wirrallife. com 59