Breath of Life 活力呼吸

by Rebecca A. Say
Sometimes what you take for granted can have a big impact on your life.
　　If you want to live a better life, stop and smell the roses. Well, not exactly. This common saying means we should slow down and enjoy small moments, but when it comes to health, it means what it says—take a moment to breathe. Breathing comes so naturally to us that we are hardly aware that we are constantly doing it. However, each breath is vitally important to our survival. _(1)_ Regular breaths do this job well enough, but getting into the habit of breathing deeply increases your health substantially. Deep breathing stimulates your lymphatic system, prevents premature aging, clears your mind, and much more. _(2)_ A basic deep breathing exercise begins by sitting up straight and inhaling first to fill your lower abdomen, then middle, and then chest. _(3)_ After practicing these exercises regularly, you will come to a point where you will feel more energized and alert throughout the day.
　　Another benefit of deep breathing is revealed during stressful situations. _(4)_ A simple example of this is when a mother is frustrated with a naughty child. _(5)_ In extreme cases, deep breathing can be life saving, such as when it is used during panic attacks. Those who make deep breathing a practice are better at getting through the attack than those who don't. Remember if you want an easy way to improve your health, give your lungs an extra workout today.

(A) To get these benefits, set aside a few minutes several times a day for breathing exercises.
(B) The purpose of breathing in medication is to calm the mind and develop inner peace.
(C) Not only does it bring oxygen into our bodies, but it also expels toxins.
(D) In these stressful situations, deep breaths calm people down quickly by expelling built-up carbon dioxide and giving them something to focus on instead of stress.
(E) When exhaling, start by pushing the air out of the lower abdomen, then middle, and then chest as if you were making waves.
(F) Taking a moment to breathe deeply allows her to calm herself down and better handle the situation in a positive and teaching way.