Are You Breathing?

Breathing is taking in oxygen from air into our lungs and breathing out carbon dioxide. Breathing lowers our blood pressure, improves lung capacity, energy, and immunity. It reduces our anxiety, enhances better focus, promotes better sleep. 

I have always found that some sort of daily exercise helps me to breathe better. Walking is one of those ways. I love to get outside for walks, alone or with friends. When it is hard for me to go everyday I find a friend to go with. I have even prayed to know who to go with and have been given answers. 

When I was expecting children I walked right through the pregnancies and then the postpartum as soon as I could. I found I had very few aches and pains throughout the pregnancy and it helped to reduce swelling in my feet and legs.

My secret to daily walks was to get up and do them before the household woke up and the demands of the day began. That’s why I often had a friend to go with because at certain times of the year it was still dark outside or cold and I needed to know someone was there waiting for me. As the children grew up I could go on a walk later in the day.

Exercise in the morning gives momentum for the rest of the day! It adds energy to daily routines and responsibilities. It helps quicken the mind and gets blood flow to joints, muscles, and organs. 

A walk isn’t complete without some stretching at the end. When muscles are warm, stretching helps with flexibility and mobility throughout the day. There is dynamic stretching where joints and muscles are in motion and there is static stretching where positions are held for 15 to 30 seconds. Both kinds of stretches keep you young! There are all kinds of stretching routines, find one that suits you! 

I hope you can find ways to breathe everyday. It brings so many benefits into one’s life!