The Importance of Breath Functionality

Our lifestyle has a significant effect on the way we breathe. While modern living has many benefits, it is also responsible for the negative influences of processed foods, over-eating, poor exercise habits, stress, and higher temperatures in the home. Jobs in the modern economy tend to be office- or service- based, entailing very little physical activity and many hours of talking.

Ironically, in an attempt to be healthier, we are also subjected to the erroneous beliefs surrounding breathing that are found in sports classes, stress counselling and appropriated, western yoga.

All these aspects of modern life encourage over-breathing – a condition that perpetuates and exacerbates symptoms of asthma, and contributes to a host of other common complaints.

Breathing too much, such as: heavy breathing, over-breathing, chronic hyperventilation, or big breathing. Essentially, they all mean the same thing – breathing too much.

It is this simple habit which is the root cause of respiratory conditions like asthma, rhinitis and snoring

What is over-breathing?

Over-breathing, breathing too much, heavy breathing, open mouth breathing, chronic hyperventilation, or big breathing means taking in a volume of air greater than you require.

In most cases, people are unaware that they have developed a habit of over- breathing as the signs are often subtle or hidden, but if you suffer from asthma it is highly likely that you exhibit some of the characteristics listed below:

• Breathing through the mouth

• Audible breathing during rest

• Regular sighs

• Regular sniffing

• Irregular breathing

• Holding of the breath (apnoea)

• Taking large breaths prior to talking

• Regular yawning

• Breathing with movement of the upper chest

• Effortful breathing

• Heavy breathing at night

• Waking with a dry mouth

What is the Normal Breathing Volume:

The number of breaths taken per minute during normal breathing should be about 10-12. The volume of each breath should be approximately 500ml.

This provides a healthy volume of 5-6 litres of air per minute.

Breath Awareness

So the invitation is to notice your breath, notice where it enters and how often and how much. Keys to better breath functionality are rooted in slow and deep. This means, we ultimately breathe less. Try breathing through the nasal, with an inhale and exhale of 5 seconds.

Happy Breathing!