BREATHING is a way to change our chemistry. Just try holding your breath for a period of time, and you will notice some very definite changes taking place in you. When you breathe, you introduce oxygen into your entire system. Holding your breath can lower your oxygen levels and raise your carbon dioxide levels. Breathing fast can lower the carbon dioxide levels. Breathing either too slowly or too rapidly can affect the acid-base balance in the body. My point is that breathing is important. Life and breath go together.
The effect of oxygen in us is profound. Our tissues need oxygen for survival. However, catching a good breath of air, which draws in the needed amount of oxygen, is getting a little more challenging these days. Stress can alter the way we breathe. When our bodies are under stress, we breathe more quickly and less deeply. This might be advantageous if we are in a fight for our lives or when our bodies are responding to some acute and temporary situation. But stressful breathing for extended periods of time is damaging. Long-term stress means long-term lack of sufficient oxygen.
Breathing not only brings oxygen into the body, it can also help to relax the body. When you feel under stress, change your chemistry. Begin taking slow, deep breaths through the nose. Hold for a few seconds and then exhale through your mouth. You’ll sense your body beginning to relax. This type of breathing is especially useful at night when you’re preparing to rest, as this relaxes the body while enhancing oxygen delivery to the tissues.
Breathing in enough oxygen shouldn’t be a problem for many of us. But some may face a challenge or two in this area. More and more homes and offices are tightly sealed to save energy costs. Unfortunately, that results in poor ventilation and the accumulation of indoor air pollutants. Formaldehyde, for example, seeps from certain wood products. Various fumes escape carpets, copy machines, upholstery and cleaning products. Carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide which are poisonous gases, rise unseen from gas, oil or coal furnaces, ranges, fireplaces and heaters. Mix in a good dose of dust, mites, molds and fungi, ozone, lead, asbestos, pesticide residues, and a dash of radon gas and suddenly all that air we breathe begins to take on a rather sinister character.
In some areas, outside air may not be much of an improvement. Diesel fumes, factory pollutants spewing into the atmosphere are not exactly helping the situation. Breathing pollutant-laden air results in burning eyes, sore throats, coughing, itching, headaches, sluggishness, nausea, dizziness, feelings of exhaustion and depression. Suddenly, enjoying all that clean air brought into existence seems like an impossible dream. Here are some suggestions of taking advantage of getting clean air.
• Ban all smoking indoors and out. Even secondhand smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals.
• Make sure your gas, oil, kerosene and coal-burning heaters and appliances are well-vented.
• Keep air ducts and heating and air-conditioning filters well maintained. Make sure your chimneys are open and in good repair.
• Keep fresh air coming into your home or office by opening a window if possible.
• Breathe deeply God’s fresh air every day and keep a good supply of oxygen coursing through your body with regular exercise.
