Since we first drew breath …

In a moment long, long ago somebody drew the first human breath. The breath you are drawing now is in a line that began with that first human breath.

In the intervening centuries, have studied how the breath, indispensable for survival, can enrich our lives in other ways also.

For instance we know that slow breathing can help us feel relaxed and can deepen that sense of relaxation.

We know that breathing out slowly through the nose is especially good for relaxation.

We know that mindfulness is good for us and that when you make yourself aware of your breathing you are being mindful.

We know that people in high stress situations use box breathing (inhale to a count of four, hold for a count of four, exhale to a count of four, hold empty to a count of four, repeat) to keep themselves focused.

We also know that the carbon dioxide we breathe out is used by plants for photosynthesis and they later emit oxygen as a by-product. Most of our oxygen, though, is produced by marine phytoplankton that live in the upper, sun-lit layers of the seas.

So when you take a simple inbreath and outbreath, you connect to past and future and to the forests and the seas. And when you do it in the ways outlined here, you also connect with your own wellbeing.

(In my one hour Zoom event on 28th August, we will practise breathing exercises and learn more about how breathing enhances our lives beyond survival. Click to tap the button below to go to the booking page for more information).

Video is by Arthouse Studio on Pexels