By Col Wajid Hussain
Breathing is something that we all do without usually realizing it. We breathe in and out about 17,000 to 30,000 times a day. Without breathing, humans (and animals) can’t survive.
The process of breathing is divided into two distinct phases, inhalation and exhalation. During inhalation atmospheric air is taken into the lungs through the nostrils, first filling the lower part of the lungs. This forces the diaphragm to exert a gentle pressure on the abdomen. Then the inhalation fills the middle and higher part of the lungs pushing the stomach out. Inhaled air is about 78 per cent nitrogen, 21 per cent oxygen. During exhalation , the diaphragm relaxes, the lungs contract and air is forced out pushing the stomach in. Exhalation can be through nose or mouth. Exhaled air is about 78 per cent nitrogen, 16 per cent oxygen and four per cent carbon dioxide.
Our brain controls how fast our lungs draw in air. When we exercise or play, our brain tells our lungs to work faster. When we’re sleeping or at rest, our lungs slow down.
From cognition to digestion, effectively breathing oxygen, can not only provide you with a greater sense of mental clarity, it can also help you sleep better, digest food more efficiently, improve your body’s immune response, and reduce stress levels. Pak Destiny
