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How many Breaths Per Day should we take?

The Importance of Breathing: Understanding Normal and Abnormal Breathing

How many times we Breathe in a day?

Have you ever thought about how air travels inside you all day ? Just like you walk with many steps, you take many breaths throughout the day. Can you guess how many times you breathe per day? Well, on average with normal functioning of lungs, the number of breaths we take in a day, is around 20,000 every day! That's a lot of air going in and out of our bodies.

Breathing is an important way to stay alive, More than the food. It's like a superpower! When you take a breathe in, you take in fresh air that has oxygen. Oxygen is like a special kind of energy drink for your body. It gives you the power to run, jump, play, and think clearly! It's like putting fuel in a car to make it go! As you exhale, you expel a waste product called carbon dioxide that your body doesn't need.

Our respiratory system:

The lungs are the only organs in the human body that can float on water. This is because they are filled with air sacs called alveoli, which are like tiny balloons. When filled with air, the lungs are less dense than water and therefore will float. Medical examiners may use this test to help determine if a baby was born alive.

We lose a lot of water just by breathing. Every time we exhale, we release water vapor along with carbon dioxide. In fact, we can lose up to a pint of water per day through respiration.

The surface area of the lungs is massive. The total surface area of the lungs is about the size of a tennis court, which allows for efficient gas exchange between the blood and the air.

Not all of the air is expelled from your lungs when you exhale. Even after a forceful exhalation, there is still about a liter of air remaining in the lungs. This residual volume helps to keep the airways open and prevents them from collapsing.

Your nose does more than just smell. The nose filters the air we breathe, removing dust, pollen, and other irritants. It also helps to humidify the air, which is important for protecting the delicate tissues in the lungs.

The diaphragm is the main muscle involved in breathing. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When the diaphragm contracts, it pulls air into the lungs. When it relaxes, air is expelled from the lungs.

Some people can hold their breath for a very long time. The world record for holding your breath is over 22 minutes! Be aware: this is a very dangerous activity. Don't attempt it without proper training and supervision from a qualified professiona

-------Reference from How your Lungs Work-------

So next time you take a breath, remember the amazing journey of air inside you! It fills your lungs with energy and keeps your body working like a champ. It shows how even the simplest things can be super important for us!

So how many breaths we take in a day? Well, on average, we take about 20,000 breaths every day! that varies person to person. That's a whole lot of air going in and out of our bodies.

Why is Breathing Important?

Have you ever thought about how important breathing is? It's something we do unconsciously throughout the day, but just like taking care of your toys or keeping your room clean, paying attention to your breath can have a big impact on your overall well-being. Also it will improve the capacity of breaths per day. Slower or faster. Here's why every breath counts:

  • Feeling Calm: When we're feeling stressed or overwhelmed, our breathing becomes shallow and rapid. This can make us feel even more tense and anxious. But by taking slow, deep breaths, we send a signal to our bodies to relax. It's like hitting a pause button on our stress response. Imagine yourself blowing out a birthday candle – that slow, deep exhale can help us feel calmer and more peaceful, just like extinguishing the flame.
  • Better Sleep: Do you ever toss and turn at night, struggling to fall asleep? Taking a few deep breaths before bed can be your secret weapon for a better night's rest. Deep breathing slows down your heart rate and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for our body's "rest and digest" response. Think of it like a lullaby for your body, gently coaxing you into a deeper, more restful sleep.
  • More Energy: Have you ever noticed feeling sluggish or lacking energy? It could be a sign that you're not getting enough oxygen into your body. When we breathe deeply, we draw in more oxygen, which is like the fuel that keeps our bodies running. This increased oxygen supply gives us the energy we need to play outside, learn new things, and conquer all the challenges the day throws our way.!

  • These are just a few of the many benefits of taking care of your breath. By incorporating simple breathing exercises into your daily routine, you can unlock a world of positive effects on your physical and mental health. So next time you feel stressed, anxious, or lacking energy, remember the power of a deep, calming breath. It might just be the missing piece you need to feel your best.

    There are two main categories of breathing: normal breathing and abnormal breathing.

    Based on these breathing we can reduce or increase how many breathe in a day we taking

    Normal breathing is characterized by two main things: rate and effort.

    Rate:

  • This refers to the number of breaths you take per minute.
  • Normal breathing rate for adults at rest is between 12 and 20 breaths per minute. This can vary slightly depending on the source.
  • Newborns and children will naturally have a faster breathing rate.
  • Effort:
  • This refers to how hard you have to work to breathe.
  • Normal breathing should be quiet and effortless. You shouldn't feel any tightness in your chest or struggle to get air in.

  • Signs of abnormal breathing:

    Breathing rate that falls outside the normal range for your age:

    Slower than 12 breaths per minute (adults)

    Faster than 20 breaths per minute (adults)

  • Visible effort to breathe:
  • Nostrils flaring with each breath
  • Using muscles in your chest and neck to breathe (instead of your diaphragm)
  • Retractions in your chest wall (skin sucking in between your ribs)
  • Wheezing or other abnormal breath sounds
  • Types of Normal Breathing

    Normal breathing types include:

  • Eupnea: This is the medical term for normal breathing at rest. It is characterized by a rate of 12-20 breaths per minute, with each breath taking in about 500 ml of air.
  • Diaphragmatic breathing: This is a type of deep breathing that uses the diaphragm, a muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen, to draw air into the lungs. Diaphragmatic breathing is considered to be the most efficient way to breathe, and it can help to improve lung function, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
  • Types of Abnormal Breathing

    Abnormal breathing types include:

  • Bradypnea: This is a respiratory rate that is slower than normal (less than 12 breaths per minute).
  • Tachypnea: This is a respiratory rate that is faster than normal (more than 20 breaths per minute).
  • Hyperpnea: This is a type of rapid, deep breathing that is often caused by exercise or anxiety.
  • Apnea: This is a temporary cessation of breathing.
  • Hyperventilation: This is a rapid increase in breathing rate and depth that can lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and tingling in the extremities.

  • When it comes to managing stress and promoting relaxation, the way we breathe plays a crucial role. Deep breathing techniques are widely recognized for their calming effects. These techniques involve slow, deliberate inhales that fill both the belly and chest, promoting a sense of peacefulness. Conversely, shallow breathing patterns are often observed during stressful situations. These short, rapid breaths that only reach the upper chest are less efficient at delivering oxygen throughout the body, despite the initial feeling of getting more air quickly. By understanding the differences between deep and shallow breathing, we can actively choose techniques to support our well-being.

    ------The Source of Information-------

    Breath in Yoga

    Have you ever watched someone practicing yoga and noticed their deep, rhythmic breaths? Those breaths aren't just incidental; they're a cornerstone of the practice called Pranayama (pronounced pra-na-YA-ma). In Sanskrit, "prana" means life force, and "ayama" means extension or control. So, Pranayama literally translates to "life-force extension" – a practice that harnesses the power of breath to influence our physical and mental well-being. While breathing seems like an automatic function, it's something we can consciously control. Pranayama techniques involve specific breathing patterns and exercises designed to regulate the flow of prana, bringing about a sense of calmness, focus, and inner peace.

    Our Pranayama Techniques:

    Pranayama isn't just about inhaling and exhaling. It involves various techniques that target different aspects of the breath cycle:

  • Swasa (Swasana): Inhalation, bringing in fresh prana.
  • Rechaka: Exhalation, expelling used prana.
  • Kumbhaka: Retention, holding the breath to allow prana to circulate and integrate its effects.

  • Combine these three basic actions (slow, deep breaths filling your belly and chest) to create various Pranayama techniques, each with a unique focus.


  • Dirga Pranayama (Three-part breath): Emphasizes full, deep breaths using the diaphragm, ribcage, and upper chest.
  • Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious breath): Creates a gentle hissing sound in the back of the throat during inhalation and exhalation, promoting focus and concentration.
  • Kapalbhati (Skull-shining breath): Short, forceful exhales followed by passive inhales, energizing and purifying.
  • Bhramari Pranayama (Humming bird breath): Creates a humming sound on exhalation, promoting relaxation and calming the mind.
  • Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (Alternate nostril breathing): Balances the flow of energy through the left and right nostrils, promoting mental clarity and emotional balance.

  • Breathing Like a Yogi!

    Have you ever seen someone doing yoga? Yogis are really good at taking deep breaths. They use a special kind of Breathing called Pranayama (pronounced pra-na-YA-ma). It's a good way to practice breathing and it can help you feel calm and happy.


    Benefits of yogic breathing:

  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved focus and concentration
  • Increased lung capacity and respiratory health
  • Enhanced relaxation and better sleep
  • Promotes detoxification of the body

  • Getting started with yogic breathing:

  • Learning Pranayama techniques with a qualified yoga teacher is highly recommended. This ensures you master the proper breathing mechanics and maximize the benefits of this practice.
  • There are many resources available online, but in-person guidance can ensure you perform the techniques correctly and safely.
  • Start with simple techniques like Dirga Pranayama and gradually progress to more advanced practices.
  • Focus on coordinating your breath with your yoga postures (asanas) for a more integrated practice.

  • Remember, yogic breathing is a journey, not a destination. Be patient, consistent with your practice, and experience the many benefits it has to offer. So next time you remember, take a big, deep breath and feel the amazing power of your breathing! If you want to learn Pranayama you can Join our 10 Days Course.

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