We all breathe, right? But many of us, if not most of us, do not always breathe properly, largely because it is something that most of us take for granted. We don't think about breathing. After all, we have been breathing, hopefully, since we were born. But learning to breathe properly can have significant health benefits, so read on if you want to learn how to breathe properly and improve your health.



Breathing techniques can be very specific to different needs, such as breathing techniques learned by swimmers and divers.



People who suffer breathing difficulties such as asthma sufferers, benefit from learning proper breathing techniques.



We all know that, together with water, oxygen is the most vital nutrient for our bodies. Poor oxygen affects all parts of the body, but more so the brain. So if oxygen is critical to our health and well being, doesn't it make sense to know how to breathe properly?



As I mentioned before, even the newborn infant knows how to breathe - often with just a smack on it's bottom to get it started.



It is automatic, involuntary and spontaneous. We are not even aware that we are breathing. But notice when you are anxious or terrified or have been running a few kilometers - you will at once become aware of the effort it takes to breathe.



Some people breathe through their chest and some through their diaphragm. The diaphragm is the large muscle that separates the lung from your abdomen. Proper breathing technique suggests that breathing through the diaphragm is better. To test whether you are a diaphragm or chest breather try this simple exercise.



Sit up straight and relax your shoulders. Then rest one hand on your chest and one on your stomach. Take a deep breath and watch the movement of your hands. If the one on your chest moves, you are a chest breather and if the hand on your diaphragm moves you are a diaphragmatic breather.



The first rule is to breathe through your nose, not your mouth. Most of the time, although we are unaware of it, we are either breathing too quickly or too slowly and most likely too shallowly. We do not take in enough oxygen or expel enough carbon dioxide.



As a result poisons build up in our bloodstream and we begin to feel less well.



We need to breathe slowly, deeply and with a regular rhythm. Modern day living hampers the quality of breathing because of several reasons. We are forever in a hurry, are easily excitable and get angry or irritated at the drop of a hat. Sedentary lifestyles and stressful work environments do nothing to improve this situation.



Breathing correctly will do wonders for you. It will improve the quality of blood flowing in your veins due to increased oxygenation in the lungs.



Your digestion will improve and so will the health of your nervous system, brain and spinal cord. Weight control, clear skin, a stronger heart and a relaxed body and mind are the other benefits of proper breathing techniques. So don't hold your breath ....get started.



If you found this article interesting and want to learn more about your health look here for more information.

Stuart Fish

I am passionate about helping people achieve the best life they can.
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Stuart Fish