Getting enough oxygen in your system is vital for maintaining a healthy body. Oxygen helps purify your blood, increases your energy, reduces stress, supports digestion and stimulates mental clarity. However, many people underestimate the importance of proper breathing and fail to focus on exercising the respiratory system.
Proper Breathing
One of the best ways to ensure your getting enough oxygen in your system is to start getting the most out of every breath. To practice breathing properly, Carlos P. Zalaquett, Ph.D. from the University of South Florida suggests lying down on the floor with your legs straight in front of you and slightly apart. Then, place your arms next to you without touching your body and close your eyes. From this relaxed position, notice if your abdomen is rising with each breath. If not, your breathing is too shallow. Place your hand on your abdomen and breath deeply until you feel the breath in your stomach.
Clenched Fist
Zalaquett also recommends using your hands to help manage deep and controlled breaths. To perform this exercise, stand with your hands loose at your sides. Then, inhale deeply and gently raise your arms in front of you. As you bring your hands upwards, slowly squeeze each hand into a fist so that they are tightly clenched by they time you reach shoulder level. Keeping your fists clenched, push your arms out straight, then pull your arms back towards your shoulders as fast as you can several times as you exhale.
Chinese Tai Chi Chuan
In addition, the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Center on Aging Studies recommends practicing a breathing technique from Chinese Tai Chi Chuan. This exercise involves taking three short inhales through the nose without exhaling. On the first inhale, raise your arms straight in front of you and up to shoulder level; on the second inhale, open your arms sideways; and on the third breath, lift your arms straight over your head. Then, exhale through your mouth and bring your smoothly bring your arms back to your sides in an arc.
Visualization
To give yourself an energetic boost, Zalaquett suggests a visualizing while breathing. First lie down on your back and relax. Place your hands just beneath your ribs and take a few deep, slow breaths from your diaphragm. With each breath that you take in, visualize energy flowing into each part of your body, from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head. Continue this process for five to 10 minutes.
