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This One Thing You Do Every Day Prolongs Your Life When You Do It Right
4. Stimulates Brain Growth
If you practice deep breathing for no other reason, this is the one to do it for! Research has shown that deep breathing exercises actually increase the size of the brain. When done regularly, our brains actually grow in areas that are associated with the processing of sensory input, as well as attention span. Although this seems to be more noticeable in older persons, this is still terrific news. As we age, our brains tend to get thinner and less flexible. Studies show that deep breathing increases the thickness of the brain. The key appears to be consistent practice.
5. Improved Immune Function
One thing that researchers did not expect to find was that deep breathing also altered the expression of genes that are involved in immune function. They also discovered that deep breathing alters the metabolism of energy and the secretion of insulin. Although this isn’t the first study to suggest these types of positive changes (the first was back in the mid-1970’s) but one 2008 study found that long term deep breathing practices resulted in changes to the expression of genes that are linked with how the body reacts to stress and disease.
Other studies have shown that lab animals who had higher respiratory rates had shorter life spans. For example, rabbits, who breathe between 40 and 60 times each minute have an average lifespan of about 8 years. Dogs, on the other hand, breathe approximately 15 to 30 times each minute and live between 13 and 20 years. Now look at the giant whales or tortoises, who have respiratory rates of about 3 to 8 times each minute. They can live as long as 150 years!
READ ALSO: 3 Magical Breathing Exercises Video
Numerous studies have shown that there is a correlation between slower respiratory rates and longevity, including the health benefits listed above. All of these things show that deep breathing is not some “New Age Nut” practice, but a health habit that we should all consider doing on a regular basis.
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