Every Breath Counts

Deep breathing can affect everything from the health of the skin to the state of mind.

 

- Faye Remedios

There is a school of thought that believes that just by breathing correctly, one can look and feel healthier. Every breath carries oxygen to the body’s tissues and zaps acidic carbon dioxide waste. But the effect is not merely physiological. “Poor breathing can lead to panic attacks, and even cause conditions like insomnia and depression,” says Dr Amruta A Paranjape, physiotherapist and research associate at NeuroGen Brain & Spine Institute, Mumbai. “If one is not breathing right, the body is not getting enough oxygen. This will affect the mental outlook and performance levels. Complexion starts losing its vitality and the skin starts looking dull and unhealthy. Muscles tire easily during the day and one can feel constantly tired and lethargic because vital nutrients are not being carried effectively by the blood stream.”

Benefits

Breathing correctly can burn fat, make the skin glow, help balance out hormones and support overall health. Explaining why it has such a powerful effect on beauty, as well as health, Dr Amruta says, “It increases blood flow to the face and neck area, which nourishes the skin with fresh oxygenated blood, giving it a healthy colour and vibrancy.”