Reading Time: 2 min 11 sec
I hope the next 26’ish breaths are the most nourishing of your day.
4 THOUGHTS
1. Breathing 101: The Role of CO2 in Breath Regulation
1. CO₂ crosses the blood-brain barrier and reacts with water in the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to form hydrogen ions (H⁺) and bicarbonate.
2. Then, this rise in H⁺ lowers pH, stimulating central chemoreceptors in the brainstem.
3. These chemoreceptors send signals to the brain’s respiratory centers to activate the phrenic nerve, causing the diaphragm to contract, initiating an inhale.
It’s a rather neat and beautiful system 👏
2. A Fulfilling and Accomplished Life
“Yet everyday experience, along with centuries of philosophical reflection, attests to the fact that a fulfilling and accomplished life isn’t a matter of exerting ever more control. It’s not about making things more predictable and secure, until you can finally relax. … The greatest achievements often involve remaining open to serendipity, seizing unplanned opportunities, or riding unexpected bursts of motivation.”
– Oliver Burkeman, Meditations for Mortals
This is the essence of awareness (or “mindful living”): not trying to control every outcome, but instead remaining open to what life offers 👏.
3. Take Your Time in the Morning
“It’s much more pleasant for both you and the day you’re beginning to do the opposite - namely, to take your time in the morning. In many spiritual traditions, this is seen as an ideal time for meditation or looking inward. Such a moment of calm and stillness affects the rest of the day.”
- Paul Loomans, I’ve Got Time
I’m a huge fan of practicing breathing & meditation first thing upon waking, and this passage highlights why. It reminds me of this equally-powerful excerpt from my favorite teacher, Eknath Easwaran:
“The pace you set first thing in the morning is likely to stay with you through the day. If you get up early and set a calm, unhurried pace, it is much easier to resist getting speeded up later on as the pressures of the day close in on you. This simple step has profound effects.” 👏
4. How Long Until Awakening?
“A disciple asks a Zen master: ‘How long does it take to be able to experience Awakening?’
‘Maybe 20 years,’ answers the master.
‘And if I am in a hurry?’ asks the disciple again.
‘In that case, it is 50 years,’ concludes the master.”
- Steven Laureys, MD, The No-Nonsense Meditation Book
I think this is the 3rd time I’ve shared this passage. It’s one of my favorites and never gets old—full of wisdom and always brings a laugh.
1 Quote
“Despite centuries of reports from followers of Eastern traditions that slow breathing can improve focus, bring a sense of calm when we might otherwise lose it and even whisk us away to an altered state of consciousness, most of us still don’t take time out from our busy lives to prioritize this simplest and most unobtrusive of body movements.””
1 GOOD BOOK
Move by Caroline Williams
Here’s another book I can’t recommend enough. If you’re curious about how movement affects your mind, it’s a must-read. Williams even has a whole chapter on breathing—the most fundamental movement—which is worth getting the book for by itself. Check it out if it sounds interesting!
In good breath,
Nick Heath, T1D, PhD
“Breathing is the compound interest of health & wellness.”
Enjoy these posts? Donate to say thanks!
P.S. how to not get “Sunday scaries”
The Breathing App for Diabetes
This is the first program specifically made for people with diabetes to help manage their stress through breathing and mindfulness practices. In addition to the amazing program inside the app, we have some really neat things coming up, so sign up now!
Amazon Associate Disclosure
I’ve been recommending books for almost 6 years. Yet somehow, I just discovered that I could be an Amazon affiliate [face-palm]. In any case better late than never. Now, any Amazon link you click is an affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. So, if you’d like to support my work, buying books through these links is helpful : )
* An asterisk by a quote indicates that I listened to this book on Audible. Therefore, the quotation might not be correct, but is my best attempt at reproducing the punctuation based on the narrator’s pace, tone, and pauses.