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How to Detox with Deep Breathing
Oxygen is one of the most important nutrients in the human body. It
is possible for the body to go months without food and days without
water, but only a few precious minutes without oxygen before the body
suffocates. Breath really is the source of life, even though we do it
naturally and therefore do not give it much thought. Take a moment and
focus on your breathing - you may be surprised at the shallowness of
your breath. Learning to breathe deeper and take in more oxygen
can have wonderful health benefits. By bringing more oxygen into the
body, deep breathing is one of the best ways to get more of the blood's
waste, or carbon dioxide, out of the body. Deep-breathing techniques
are extremely effective in handling depression, anxiety, and
stress-related disorders. Just take a second and allow yourself to
breathe deeply for a few moments. You will immediately notice your
heartbeat slows and you will feel significantly more relaxed. When
people do not take in enough oxygen and exhale enough carbon dioxide,
it can have consequences such as fatigue, mental fog and decreased
tissue function. These problems are often thought to be problems with
diet, but the brain cannot function properly if it is not receiving an
adequate supply of oxygen. Shallow breathing (or chest breathing)
causes a constriction of the chest and lung tissue over time,
decreasing oxygen flow and delivery to your tissues. Deep, rhythmic
breathing expands the diaphragm muscle, which expands the lung's air
pockets, invoking a relaxation response within the body, and massaging
the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system acts sort of like the
body's sewer system. Blood flow carries nutrients and ample amounts of
oxygen to the body, while the lymphatic system carries away destructive
toxins. The consequence of a sluggish lymphatic system is that you
cannot detoxify properly. Deep breathing serves as a kind of pump for
the lymphatic system. If you aren't breathing deeply or moving
regularly, chances are your lymph fluid is not flowing as well as it
could. This can lead to health problems, including weight gain, muscle
loss, high blood pressure, fatigue, and inflammation. Learning
how to breath more deeply and fully is a vital way to keep the body's
cleansing and detoxifying systems working at full capacity. Proper
breathing is especially important when working out, because your body
uses the oxygen as a source of energy. Shallow breathing when working
out can cause a significant reduction in the amount of intensity and
time your body can exercise. By taking a few moments in your day to
really pay attention to the inhalation and exhalation that supports
your life, you will balance and clean the body. Remember, small changes
add up to big improvements.
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