A look at oxygen
The three basic requirements our physical body needs to survive are oxygen, water and food. Unfortunately in our modern world even maintaining optimum levels of those necessities can be a challenge. If you're living in a city, like most of us, the air in which you breath is filled with pollution. If you're drinking piped tap water, chances are it's being filled with toxic chemicals. And, most of our food is genetically modified and lack nutritional value.
Our bodies are finely tuned machines that can handle a little tap water or smog but just like any other machine, it needs to be taken care of. Not only taken care of but elevated to function at a higher degree of efficiency so we can flourish and live as our higher selves. First lets take a look at oxygen.
We are constantly immersed in air, while our lungs are breathing it in and out we are in harmony with life and the world around us. Like we mentioned before, because oxygen is so essential to life, it's so essential to be breathing clean air for maximum vitality.
The homeostasis of the animal kingdom and the plant kingdom is an endless dance of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Humans as well as all other animals are responsible for producing carbon dioxide when they breath which is greenhouse gas that traps heat in the earths atmosphere leading to global warming. Plants however do the exact opposite. The plant kingdom, including trees, take in carbon dioxide and put out oxygen through a process called photosynthesis. Plants are the reason for the existence of all life on earth.
Taking time to explore a forest or simply being among plants has profound effects on our physiological health and well being. Weekly (or even better, daily) walks in nature can benefit the pulmonary, cardiac, vascular and neurological systems.
Houseplants act as natural air filters by purifying the oxygen indoors. Stagnant indoor environments allow pollutants to build up and stick around in greater amounts then we should be breathing in on a regular basis. Houseplants have been shown to reduce the levels of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and formaldehyde. By sharing your living space with a couple of low maintenance roommates, you can have a safer, cleaner indoor atmosphere for when you come back from your weekly hikes!
The lungs are responsible for taking in life force around us when we breath. Sometimes its not only what we breath, but how we breath. Breathing exercises tone the lungs and overall respiratory system by keeping your chest capacity at its maximum. Try creating a morning or evening habit of doing some breathing exercises. Whether it's pranayama, meditation or rhythmic breathing techniques, working with your breath keeps the body in top shape by allowing greater internal and external oxygen flow. It's also important to note that we must always, or at least when we can, breath through our nose. Breathing in through the nose frees the air from foreign contaminants, heats the air through the sinuses and humidifies it, making it perfect for entering the lungs and bloodstream. If you breath through your mouth, you will no longer be able to supply your body with moist, hot air. The air coming in form your mouth is cold, dry and potentially dirty. Not the idle format for the responding organ systems.
In order to thrive, we must make an effort to take responsibility for our lives. Making small changes can go a long way.