Breathing is the first thing we do the moment we enter the world and the last when we leave it again. It is an important part of our lives because without breathing, we cannot live. Our breathing is an unconscious process that we do thousands of times a day. This causes us to often overlook the importance of proper breathing. Do you ever experience problems with your breathing yourself? Or do you often gasp for more air? Then read on quickly!
What happens while breathing?
Everyone takes in oxygen from the air while breathing. This enters our lungs through our trachea and then enters our blood. The blood circulation in our body ensures that it reaches our muscles and organs. An important process because without oxygen, our cells would not be able to burn proteins, carbohydrates and fats. When we exhale, carbon dioxide leaves our body.
How do you recognise wrong breathing?
Did you know that as many as 80% of the population use only 30% of their lung capacity? Those are big numbers. To prevent bad breathing, it is important to first understand what is meant by bad breathing. Tension, anxiety, overtiredness and overexertion can be the cause of irregular breathing patterns. This causes our body to produce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones can make you suffer from shortness of breath, dizziness, tingling in the limbs, fainting and even chest pain. Improper breathing can be recognised by the following:
- You breathe regularly through your mouth
- You have to sigh and/or yawn regularly
- Sometimes feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- You hold your breath or breathe irregularly
- You breathe shallowly (not through the abdomen)
- You breathe too often and quickly
- While breathing, you make too much noise
- Sometimes you have 'air hunger', where you feel as if you are not breathing deeply enough. How often and deeply you breathe.
Hyperventilation
In hyperventilation, breathing is incorrect, or dysfunctional. The breathing rhythm is irregular, only the top of the lungs are used or breath is swallowed or trapped. It takes too much effort and too much breathing is done.
Consequences of poor breathing
A study shows that one in 10 people suffer from incorrect breathing. This can be affected by various outside elements. Think exertion, the way we talk, the weather/climate or the composition of the inhaled air (pollen, house dust mites, exhaust fumes, etc.) At the moment of stress or when feeling tense, we usually breathe shallowly. In the short term, this does not cause any harm, but when persistent, it can cause functional disorders such as cardiac arrhythmias and digestive problems.
Do not be afraid: Breathing remains an automatic process in our bodies. This is because our brain determines when we need fresh air. In the case of exertion, like running, we gasp for air more often than we do as soon as we sit on the couch.
The importance of good breathing
After much research, it appears that the proper breathing brings a whole laundry list of positive influences on the body. Your immune system becomes stronger, making you less prone to diseases and temperature changes. Blood pressure is lowered, without the influence of medication. It sharpens our focus, creative process and makes us live longer.
People struggling with migraines and negative feelings would also benefit from good breathing. In short, by breathing well, the brain receives an optimal amount of oxygen to function properly and this enhances your mental clarity.
Exercises for good breathing
Of course, we don't just discuss the negative side of breathing. We will also give you some tips/exercises to improve your breathing. This is because there are many differences between our unconscious, involuntary breathing and conscious, focused breathing.
- Exhaling longer
It is essential to hold the exhalation longer than the inhalation. For example, by taking double your inhalation. For example, think of four counts of inhalation and eight counts of exhalation.
- Get your posture right
Proper breathing goes better and easier once the body posture is right. When this is not the case, the body is overstressed. This can occur by staying in the same posture for too long at work. So it is important to have a good balance.
- Insert short breaks regularly.
It is important to take occasional small breaks while working. Especially when having an office job, it is important to take a small walk to, say, the coffee machine or toilet at least once an hour and shake the body loose.
Having trouble breathing or experiencing consequences of incorrect breathing? Contact FriskFysio
Notice that you have a lot of trouble breathing properly or that you suffer from hyperventilation? This is easily treatable. From FriskFysio we can advise you on this and help you on your way with your breathing. Would you like to make an appointment or get more information on this subject? Then you can contact Contact us. Please call 085-5000333 or send an e-mail to info@friskfysio.nl and we will be happy to help you!
