Actually this post is coming up because my wife is doing a series on her blog over at Golden Reflections on a healthier lifestyle. Her series is called 31 Days to a Healthier New Year and in it she is going through and discussing the different parts of the NEW START (nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest, trust in divine power) program. So when she got to the part of planning the post about air, she looked at me and asked me to do a guest post for her. And being the loving husband that I am, agreed to do it for her.
So following is the post that I did for her. If you get a chance please go check out her blog and her series! I believe you will find it very beneficial for you! She posts on a variety of different topics, something is sure to appeal to your interests!
Fresh air. We hear all kinds of talk on the importance of fresh air. But why is it so important? Why is it that when we have been cooped up inside all day that when we step out and take that big deep breath of fresh air that we suddenly feel rejuvenated? Why is it that when the weather has been horrible that when we get that first chance at a nice day one of the first things we do is open up our windows to "air" out our houses? It's because inherently we know that fresh air is important, but why?
First reason is that fresh air is vital for life. Air is made up of many different gases, the two most abundant gases are nitrogen (79%) and oxygen (20.9%), the rest are all trace gases. The body needs oxygen to function. When you take that big deep breath of fresh air, your blood takes that oxygen from your lungs and transports it to all the cells in your body. Your cells use that oxygen metabolize and create energy, the by-product of that metabolism is then transported back to your lungs and exhaled as waste gases (most of which is carbon dioxide). Fresh air helps this process out because it has fewer pollutants and toxins in it than city or indoor air (sometimes referred to as stale air).
When you are indoors for long periods of time (such as in an office, school or house) you end up rebreathing the same old air. As you and everyone around your rebreathes that same old air the quality of that air begins to decrease. When the quality of the air decreases, you begin to feel fatigued and you may not think as clearly. This is because your cells and your brain aren't getting the quality of oxygen, or air, they require to perform at peak performance.
But the benefits to fresh are are not just limited to cognitive benefits. There are many others:
When you get fresh air every day you will find that you will not only feel more energized, but that you will also sleep better at night.
You will also find that you will breathe better. Fresh air helps your airways to open more so that you can breathe more efficiently, thus exhaling more toxins out of your body.
Fresh air helps you digest your food more effectively and efficiently. It is a good idea to take a walk outside in the fresh air after you eat. This will help those of you that are trying to lose weight (and who isn't after the holidays).
Fresh air is also great for lowering your heart rate and blood pressure. It also will help you to feel more relaxed and happier. A general mood lifter.
It will also help to boost your immune system and make it easier for your body to fight disease.
Following are some tips to help you get some fresh air everyday. These tips are taken from www.natural-health-restored.com. These pretty much sum up what I would suggest, so I don't see a need to change them:
- While on your breaks at work, step outside and take some slow, deep breaths. This will banish that tired, sluggish feeling and will leave you feeling more energized and focused.
- Open your windows regularly and air out your house as often as you can. If there happens to be a smog warning in effect, wait until later on at night or very early in the morning when the air is a lot cleaner.
- If you can, sleep with your bedroom window open. You can also leave your bedroom door open to increase the transfer of air
- Do not smoke in your home and do not allow other family members or guests to smoke in your home either. Even second hand smoke contains hundreds of harmful chemicals.
- Avoid breathing in car exhaust. Do not allow cars to idle near your windows or in the garage attached to your house
- Try not to stay in stuffy rooms for long periods of time.
- Make sure that your clothes dryers, gas cooking ranges, heaters, and fireplaces are properly vented to the outdoors.
- Be sure to maintain your heating and air-conditioning units on a regular basis.
- Get your air ducts and furnace filters cleaned regularly.
- Do some deep breathing exercises every day. Work them into your regular routine.
- Get some exercise on a daily basis. When you can, try to exercise outside. Exercise gets your circulation going and floods your body with oxygen.
- Don't forget about your posture. Always try to sit up straight and stand tall to allow your lungs to expand. That will help you take in enough oxygen.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows you to breathe deeply and freely without being restricted. Try not to wear clothes that are tight around your chest or abdomen.
- Avoid using air fresheners, and other artificial fragrances in your home. Use natural alternatives instead. Pure essential oils are a great choice. Or you can put some cinnamon and cloves in a pot with water and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Keep plants in your home and work environment to help improve the air quality. Plants produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Some plants can even remove toxic pollutants from the air.
As you can see, getting fresh air really isn't that hard. Yet, somehow we have lost sight of the importance of it. We have somehow become a sedentary and sluggish society content with sitting on the couch playing video games, surfing the net or watching the tube. Then wondering why we have so many health problems, in particular cardiac and pulmonary problems. So please, for your health and the health of your family, go out and get some fresh air. You will be amazed with the benefits!
Sources:
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