Just a breath away

Did you know, that most people only use a small percentage of their respiratory volume? A healthy body should absorb about 500 milliliters of air when breathing normally. This is almost the same volume of a football.

Clearly during activity, a human being can absorb a large amount of air. But actually, it is the normal breathing during the day that is the most essential one.

Weak and shallow breathing, mostly stress related, can only reach the upper part of the lungs. The posture of these “breathing types” is usually a rounded back and slouchy shoulders. Such poor posture reduces the function of our respiratory- and auxiliary muscles and lead to a reduced supply of oxygen to the brain and body and can result in headaches, poor concentration and fatigue.

Regular breathing exercises relax the body and load our “batteries”. It also trains the body’s automatic breathing process and enables a better oxygen absorption. Additionally, you will benefit from a more peaceful sleep, even after stressful days!

The 5 minute ritual

During your break, look for a seat in the sun or the lounge of your office where you will not be disturbed. In case there is no ideal place for you, do this exercise on your next toilet visit.

1. Sit comfortably in an upright position. The head is stretched towards the ceiling and the shoulders are dangling comfortably next to the body. The hands are resting on the thighs.
2.  Inhale deeply through the nose.
3. Whilst exhaling through the mouth, rotate your head all the way to the right.
4. In case there is any air left in your lungs, press it out using your stomach muscles.
5. Whilst inhaling return back to the center with your head.
6. Hold your breath there for a few seconds before you continue to rotate your head all the way to the left whilst exhaling slowly.
7.  Inhale and return back to the center with your head.
8. Repeat these steps four to six times!

Benefits:

• • Better oxygen supply for the entire body
  • Mobilization of the cervical spine and surrounding muscles
  • Relaxing for the shoulders muscles
  • Reduces any kind of tension in the body
  • Stimulating for the digestive system