Breathing

By Lainey

Breathe in. Breathe out.

In through your nose, out through your mouth.

When we’re nervous, when we’re excited, when we’re frustrated, when we’re overjoyed, when we need to calm down, we take deep breaths. This is the natural way to relieve our ever-changing polar mood swings. We do it often, almost subconsciously. The swelling rush of air into our lungs feeds oxygen to our blood and our numerous awaiting cells.

All living things breathe. All living things need oxygen. Breathing is life. We breathe to live.

Throughout the day, the average human takes over 17,000 breaths. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide waste. It is essential for humans to receive a sufficient amount of oxygen; otherwise, the blood and surrounding cells in the body will begin to shut down. We take these breaths without realizing it. Most people fail to comprehend that they are, in fact, breathing throughout the day. It becomes second nature; however, it is more than necessary to make sure enough oxygen enters our bodies.

With the ceaseless, crazy environment of the contemporary world, it is often hard for people to maintain a healthy equilibrium when it comes to stress. The majority of people in the world deal with constant tension on a daily basis. All-nighter cram sessions, 14-hour workdays, double practices, lessons for five different instruments, situations where we pack three days worth of activities into one afternoon can leave us literally gasping for breath. People truly forget to take the time to make sure they are breathing adequately. There are ways in which people overcome this cultivating epidemic.

Yoga, for example, is insanely popular among people in the contemporary world. Yoga not only improves flexibility and ameliorates the body’s center of balance, it consistently focuses on deep breathing. This deep breathing helps the body become more relaxed and more pliant. The substantial amount of oxygen consumed while doing yoga makes up for much lost breathing throughout the hectic days of our lives.

Breathing aids in times of intense pain. For example, when women go into labor, they are coached through their increasing contractions by a nurse who helps them breathe in certain patterns. These deep breaths help to alleviate some of the severe pain that women endure; they allow women to focus more on their deep breathing patterns than on the excruciating torment of childbirth.

When nerve-racking situations are prevalent, breathing is often the answer. An anxious teenage boy standing on the doorstep of his newfound crush with his heart fluttering, carrying a lush bouquet of flowers takes a strong, sturdy breath before carefully knocking on the door; a pressured professional basketball player setting up for his free throw that will win the game for his team, with one second left in the game, gathers a solid, bottomless breath before nervously shooting the ball; an ambitious college student preparing for her last final exam that will determine if she earns her medical degree musters a smooth, weighty breath before scratching away with her pencil.

Breathing allows music to come alive. Wind instruments require an enormous amount of breath to function flawlessly. Smooth breaths assist in an even tone. Also, it is imperative that singers learn how to breathe properly, as their lungs are in fact their instruments. They are taught to use their diaphragm to achieve the most powerful breathing possible. Music teachers often have their students go through breathing exercises in order to expand their lung capacities. The steadier and stronger the breath, the higher quality of sound will be produced.

When we hear breathing, we are put at ease. Parents who check on their kids in the middle of the night are reassured with the sound of their children’s fixed breathing. Pet owners watch their beloved animals stomachs’ rise and fall and feel a sense of comfort. Breathing is the sound of life.

But is breathing truly all about life? Is every breath we take solely about replacing the carbon dioxide waste with oxygen? Or do we also breathe to start something new?

Breathing is more than a scientific factor of life. When we breathe, we are diving into our problems and letting go. Breath is the bridge we travel to conquer new ground. We are automatically refreshed when we take a deep breath. Breathing soothes and consoles us; it is the mother who is consistently with us, helping us through uncomfortable situations. With each new breath, we are able to think more clearly and to make better decisions in life. Breathing allows us to cope. Without it, life would cease to exist.