The Importance of Breathing Correctly for Health and Well-being

TLDRBreathing vertically is an anatomically incongruous way to breathe, leading to neck and shoulder muscle overuse and using only the top part of the lungs. It also activates the vagus nerve, putting the body in a stressed state. Most people breathe this way due to poor posture and societal influences. Breathing correctly, using the diaphragm, can improve overall health and longevity. A breathing exercise called Rock and Roll can help retrain the body to breathe horizontally.

Key insights

🌬️Breathing vertically overuses neck and shoulder muscles

🫁Vertical breathing only utilizes the top part of the lungs

😫Vertical breathing activates the vagus nerve, putting the body in a stressed state

🧘‍♂️Proper breathing involves using the diaphragm and breathing horizontally

🌱Relearning correct breathing can improve overall health and longevity

Q&A

What are the consequences of breathing vertically?

—Breathing vertically overuses neck and shoulder muscles, leads to shallow breathing, and activates the body's stress response.

What is the proper way to breathe?

—Proper breathing involves using the diaphragm and breathing horizontally, expanding the belly on inhale and contracting it on exhale.

Why do most people breathe vertically?

—Poor posture, societal influences, and the belief that sucking in the stomach makes one appear thinner all contribute to vertical breathing.

Can breathing correctly improve overall health?

—Yes, breathing correctly can improve sleep, digestion, back health, immune function, and overall well-being.

Is there a breathing exercise that can help retrain the body to breathe correctly?

—Yes, a breathing exercise called Rock and Roll, which involves expanding and contracting the belly using the diaphragm, can help retrain the body to breathe horizontally.

Timestamped Summary

00:06Breathing vertically overuses neck and shoulder muscles and limits lung capacity.

00:21Vertical breathing activates the vagus nerve, putting the body in a stressed state.

00:32Proper breathing involves using the diaphragm and breathing horizontally.

01:02Breathing vertically can lead to neck and shoulder pain.

01:38The biggest, most oxygen-rich part of the lungs is often underused in vertical breathing.

01:58The vagus nerve responds to vertical breathing by putting the body in a stressed fight-or-flight mode, regardless of the external situation.

03:32Breathing correctly can have a positive impact on various aspects of health, including sleep, digestion, and immune function.

08:09The Rock and Roll breathing exercise can help retrain the body to breathe horizontally using the diaphragm.

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