Breathing is moving air in and out of the body. The Respiratory System works with the Cardiovascular system to insure proper cellular function by providing a way to collect oxygen from the environment and move it to the blood stream. For this to happen, there must be a means to move the air in and out of the body and get it into your cells.
The nervous system recognizes the need for oxygen and triggers your incoming breath. Basically, when the internal pressure in the lungs is less than that of the outside atmospheric pressure, the air is drawn into the lungs. That internal pressure is reduced when you exhale and the lungs empty out.
You breathe normally during everyday activities. When you exercise, air is drawn in harder and faster. The muscles in your abdomen and chest fire more powerfully to force more air in and push it out when you exercise.
More than anything else, you need oxygen for your body and mind to function. Your body breathes in oxygen through the nose and mouth, where most of the impurities are filtered out. The air proceeds down the bronchial tube into the lungs, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream and pumped out through the cardiovascular system to the cells. There it is turned into energy and converted to a waste (CO2). The deoxygenated blood is returned to the heart (through the lungs) and the CO2 is expelled when you breathe out.
Oxygen is the catalyst for the production of energy in the body. Energy is defined as the “capacity for work.” That energy results from the breakdown of food (mostly carbohydrates and fat) and its absorption into the cells via a cellular compound produced in the cells called ATP. ATP supplies the energy for muscular contractions and other body functions.
The point is that the air you breathe is the catalyst for the creation of energy in the body through the breakdown of the food you eat. Air is in continuous circulation in the body and without an ongoing supply, we die.
As with diets, there are lots of theories on the best way to breathe. These are mostly based on ways to reduce stress (or to sell an online course). Your body already knows the best way to breathe. With the exception of perhaps a structured breathing pattern during meditation, your body really is programmed to do it right. The respiratory system is designed to function quite well without playing mind games with your breathing. The more you exercise and move, the stronger and more efficient your breathing becomes and the more energy your body has available. Keep your body moving.
I hope all this made sense to you. Your physical body is a complicated series of systems that function well together. When you move your bodies and eat intelligently, your body thrives. When you don’t move and when you eat junk, your body’s systems break down. When these systems break down, you develop physical problems and become susceptible to disease. Remember the air you breathe and the foods you eat produce energy for life. It’s best when you do it right.
Thank you for reading.