Our breath is our life force. The first thing we do when we are born is to inhale. The last thing we do when we end this life is to exhale. And for all the time in between, we keep breathing in and out about 20,000 times a day. Mitochondria are the energy center of each of our 70 trillion cells. If we live a sedentary, comfortable lifestyle, they get lazy too. Then we don't need energy, therefore we don't need nutrition. However, they work extra hard when there is an oxygen deficit. When we are active or workout they also benefit. We can go skating, tobogganing, or walking outdoors in the winter cold daily (underdressed) and that is good enough!
The other day I had an iMessage conversation with a friend about the importance of a healthy, nutritious, plant-based diet. He was intensely focused and committed to his diet but couldn't keep his Wim Hof Method breathing practice up daily. I suggested that the breath was more important than focussing solely on a nutrient-rich diet. If we don't have oxygen going to our cells, our organs/cells/hormones fail to efficiently process the food/energy. And every day 700 billion cells need to be replaced and they need oxygen to do this.
Today's biohack is to breathe.
Breathe deeply.
Breathe fresh air.
Breathe cold air.
Breathe in your nose and out your mouth. When we breathe in the nose we produce nitric oxide. It is a vasodilator and allows us to take in more oxygen and open up the sinuses so you don't get stuffed up. It is an anti-viral and anti-bacterial. We need that right now.
Box Breathing
Breathe in for the count of 4. Hold for the count of 4.
Breathe out for the count of 4. Hold for the count of 4.
Repeat 4 times once or twice a day and do it outside if you can.
If you'd like to learn the Wim Hof Method breathing practice, I'm offering online workshops and there's one tomorrow. Register Here
Happy Breathing!
Soul to sole.
Barefoot Sue
Comments