Blog #153 Deep Efficient Breathing Supports Immune Function
In addition to sound sleep, optimal nutrition, regular exercise and strong posture, deep, efficient breathing helps keep the immune system strong. Many factors can influence the quality of breathing. Some of these factors are balanced posture, physical and mental relaxation, a well-aligned musculoskeletal system especially involving the spine, sufficiently clean air, appropriate weight to height ratio, regular exercise, such as walking, Yoga, and Tai Chi/Qigong, enjoyment of life, and inner peace.
Over the years, quite a few singers have come to me for treatment, saying that after a Chiropractic adjustment, they were able to breathe more deeply and sing more strongly and clearly. Acupuncture treatment also sometimes helped them. Some singers discovered that when they reduced or eliminated wheat, dairy and oily, fried foods from their diet, their singing voices improved.
There are many causes of sleep apnea, or apnea when awake. Sometimes, when people eat large meals close to bedtime or when they consume foods to which they are sensitive or allergic, such as wheat, soy, dairy or alcohol, they may be likely to stop breathing frequently during sleep. Smoking cigarettes, marijuana, or other substances can also interfere with optimal breathing. When there is much fluid retention in the abdomen and/or chest, or when a person is significantly overweight, the mechanics of breathing can be impeded. Stressful stimuli during the day or soon before sleep can result in more muscular tension than usual, including diaphragmatic tension, and this can result in sleeping or waking apnea. Even powerful mental concentration can sometimes result in apnea.
Reading inspirational literature or listening to soothing music can help improve breathing, as can becoming more aware of the breath and thoughts. Vipassana meditation, a type of Buddhist meditation that focuses on watching the breath while allowing thoughts to enter and leave the mind, can sometimes help alleviate breathing issues. I personally have corrected my own sleep apnea with Self-Hypnosis, and have helped several other people do this.
Since it is the end of November, near the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s remember that a grateful, constructive, and caring perspective on everyday life can help improve breathing depth and regularity, thus oxygenating the tissues well, and helping improve sleep quality. With improved tissue oxygenation and improved sleep, immune function will also improve.
Many of the above approaches can help encourage inner peace, although it takes many years, sometimes even decades, to become very peaceful inside. I suggest reading literature from Peace Pilgrim as a beginning guide. You can find this material online, plus some people, including myself, may have copies for sale or distribution.
This blog’s offer: As a thank you for reading this blog to the very end, I am offering free instruction in abdominal breathing, which also can help you breathe more efficiently. If you search YouTube for instructions, just make sure that you observe that the instructor’s abdomen is moving at least as much, and preferably more, than the is chest when they breathe. Wishing everyone a year ahead for which we all can be grateful.
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