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Mindful Breathing: Techniques for Stress Reduction and Mental Clarity
Human lungs are composed of millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Alveoli are the functional units of the lungs where gas exchange takes place. Oxygen from inhaled air diffuses into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide, a waste product, diffuses out of the blood and into the alveoli to be exhaled.
In healthy human lungs, these alveoli are closely packed together. They create a vast surface area for efficient gas exchange and play a crucial role in the respiratory process. Inactive sacs reduce the lung’s efficiency in gas exchange and can result in breathing difficulties. They may sometimes lead to ailments like asthma, too.
During a cordial conversation with my family physician, a close relative, the importance of breathing exercises in our fast-paced and mechanized lifestyles arose. I found myself discussing with a layperson’s perspective, questioning the necessity of additional breathing exercises when we already engage in regular respiration.
My relative, with profound insight, patiently elucidated the matter. He presented a hypothetical scenario: let’s consider two individuals, Albert and Bill. Albert possesses a standard inhalation capacity of 400 milliliters, while Bill actively engages in breathing exercises, enabling him to inhale 410 milliliters. Both…
