Perfect Breathing

5.5-Minute Exercise

I’ve often maintained that many deep breathing techniques are counterproductive to relaxing our nervous system. When we are parasympathetic and calm, our respiration is quiet. That’s what we should strive for.

Some of the science behind why that’s true concerns our bodies' carbon dioxide (vs. oxygen) levels. The perfect amount seems to result from cycling five and a half liters of air every minute, which can be maintained by breathing in and out for five and a half seconds each. This equals five and a half total breaths per minute. That’s a pretty cool symmetry and what James Nestor calls “the perfect breath” in his fantastic book Breath. Interestingly, various cultures naturally express this cadence via ritualistic chanting and prayer. I highly encourage you to read Nestor’s book for a full explanation and more details.

It's important to note that we tend to over-breathe even when we are not engaged in a specific breathing exercise. This can lead to a range of health issues. To counteract this, we need to slow our breath and breathe less. Making every inhale and exhale smooth and slightly shallow can promote a healthier respiratory system and a more relaxed state of mind.

Try this technique twice daily for five and a half minutes and observe the difference in how you feel.

DISCLAIMER: RARE SENSE® content is not medical advice. Nor does it represent the official position or opinions of any other organization or person. If you require diagnosis or treatment for a mental or physical issue or illness, please seek it from a licensed professional.