You Need More CO2 Resistance In Your Body- Find Out Why!

#Even if you don’t care about breathing-read this

Are you mainly a mouth or a nose breather?

Ever felt that unnerving shortness of breath?

While you think, “I’m still breathing, I’m good,” there’s much more to consider.

Dive a little deeper. It’s more than just being alive!

It’s about Breathing Better to Live Better.

Our breath – it’s not just a life function. It’s our mood regulator, our body’s silent communicator.

Your breath is directly connected to your Nervous System (NS).

Sure, we have plenty of oxygen in the body (normal average 94–98%) but how efficiently are we using it?

Inefficient Oxygen to CO2 balance might just be limiting your physical and mental performance. Find out how.

1. Breathwork is purely efficient and results are predictable

Breathwork isn’t just a recent trend.

Science has spoken and Institutions like Harvard, Stanford, PubMed and many others are all discussing it:

“Next time you feel overwhelmed by stress or need to stay mentally sharp in a high-stress situation, try tactical breathing. This breathwork (sometimes referred to as box breathing) is used by military and law enforcement personnel to remain calm and collected in dangerous situations.” (Source:Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch).

Yoga’s Pranayama practices have been indicating its benefits for centuries!

• Energy slump? Fixed.
• Racing heart? Calmed.
• Having a bad day? Reset with a breath.

You may ask:

Why focus on breathing and not meditation?

Breathing exercises give predictable results and directly communicate with both the sympathetic – “fight or flight” and parasympathetic – “rest and digest” branches of your NS.

I love meditating and while meditation has its huge merits, for some of us, it may start with a touch of anxiety. Meditation is great, it might not be for everyone.

Breathwork helps balance your day and manage your energy and heart rate.

Not to forget, the Vagus nerve, the 10th of 12 cranial nerves and the longest in your body, becomes your best ally during controlled, mindful breathwork.

Vagus nerve, which connects to the parasympathetic branch of your nervous system, emphasizes the potency of proper focused breathing.

2. Getting Your Breathing Right

Let’s break down 3 essential breathwork techniques.

• Always inhale through your nose and exhale through the nose or mouth.
• If your nose is blocked, there are some mouth inhalation tricks – more details in the next piece.
• Be aware of diaphragmatic breathing - the so called “belly breathing”.
• Breath of Fire or Coffee Breath: Ideal for mornings. Use it pre or post-coffee, before eating, to gently activate your sympathetic NS, preparing you up for the day or physical activity ahead.
• Balanced Breathing or Water Breath: Perfect during the day. It aligns with the parasympathetic system, helping you find balance when life gets busy. For example: I practice it in a car, when stuck in a traffic or while looking for a parking spot.
• Relaxing Breathing: Turn to this when feeling anxious, before sleeping, during sports and yoga asanas practice. It’s all about calming and grounding yourself.

3. How to Build a Habit of Breathwork

Breathing is your life’s rhythm, and breathing rate matters.

• On average, we take 12–20 breaths per minute.
• For a relaxed state? Aim for 4–6 breaths per minute.
• This controlled breathwork habit can aid digestion, build stress resilience, enhance sleep, and potentially support weight loss.
• Consistency is the key.
• Practicing specific techniques at least three times a day, dedicating 5–15 minutes daily, can pave the way to transformation.
• But remember, always approach breathwork responsibly and in moderation! If you’ve had recent surgery or manage a chronic condition, consult your doctor first.

But how to make it a daily rhythm?!

Try to Integrate breathwork into your favorite daily routines.

Let’s get practical:

• Drinking your morning coffee? Pair it with the Breath of Fire.Feel that sympathetic NS kick in, preparing you for the day or your workout.
• Had a piece of cake or wrapping up lunch? Try Balanced or Water Breath. It’s about harmony, aligning with the parasympathetic system, and managing through daily chaos.
• Evening Netflix binge or feeling tired but wired? Reach out for Relaxing Breath. It’s about grounding, about tranquillity.
• While working, driving, or even amidst heated conversations – tune into your breath occasionally.

What is it telling you?

That connection might just offer insight into your NS state which with breathwork techniques you can learn to master.

Final Thought: You Can’t Say You really Know it If You Do Not Do It!

Eager to dive deeper? Await my piece next week, where I’ll shed light on balancing CO2 and Oxygen, with a special focus on the Water Breathing technique.

Your Breath is Your Safe Space.

And, let’s keep it mindful.

Take moments throughout the day to genuinely “listen” to your breath.

If you’re still here reading, I appreciate it.

Breathing transcends mere air intake – it’s a deep connection with oneself.

Interested? Then dive deeper, keep practicing, and stay tuned.

Every breath counts!

I am curious about your breath journey: please feel free to share your experiences in the comments.

To Your Breath!