Breathe

CURRENT MOON

moon phase info

Challenge #21

"Sometimes...all I need is the Air that I breathe..." lyrics from the Hollies

Breathing feeds our brains, as we need the oxygen. The brain is the body's single largest consumer of oxygen. Although the brain represents only about 2% of the body's weight, it utilizes about 20% of the body's oxygen. This is precisely why the brain starts to lose its effectiveness very quickly the moment our oxygen intake goes down – we start to feel sleepy, lazy and un-alert. This is also the main reason we feel sleepy after big meals, as our digestive system uses up a larger amount of oxygen to digest the food that we have eaten. A way to increase the oxygen flow to your brain temporarily but quickly to improve brain performance and become smarter and more alert is to take in deep breaths. This helps to relax you and increases the oxygen intake. People tend to breathe very lightly and it’s good to practice breathing deeply through your nose and exhaling through the mouth. I also advise people to hold the breath for a few seconds then release slowly on the exhale. It’s good to do this before any activity that brings on anxiety such as an exam, or before you start on any activity that requires good use of your brain. I challenge you to begin breathing deeply and paying attention to your breath. You will not only begin to feel more energized, more alert and motivated, but also calmer and more peaceful. Notice how you begin to react after you start breathing deeply....