What Do Our Lungs Need .... ? Summer Podcast for July 2 2024

What does our Heart need?  What does our Brain need?  What do our Blood cells need?  All these cells need Oxygen to work happily and efficiently.  We know we need O2 and we know that it needs to circulate to every cell in our bodies for us to be happy, and healthy, and resilient.

The Happiness part is more important than we realize.  Oxygen fuels all of our cells and keeps our Heart and Brain functioning at optimum levels.  Why is this important?  Because if our Brain Cells are not getting enough O2, the Brain goes into its “distressed” mode and immediately begins signaling that “something is wrong”!  Or, signaling “danger, danger”!  This signaling can sometimes be triggered even when there isn’t any “danger”, just “cellular discomfort”.

In other words, if we are sitting most of the day, either deeply engaged with our laptop or telephone, we are not moving very much.  So, our circulation begins to gradually s-l-o-w down.  Our brain may begin to feel sluggish since there is less O2 circulating.  In addition, we will have a gradual build up of Carbon Dioxide in our whole system due to all systems slowing down.  We may begin to feel drowsy or disinterested in whatever we are doing.  Our attention may wander and we lose our ability to focus.

When you first notice these feelings, it is a good idea to get up and move around.  Even better, get up and move around outside!  Being out of doors can provide Sunshine and Fresh Air being produced by Trees and green plants!  Remember, human Beings are designed to move, even if it is just wiggling our fingers and toes!

As we know, Sunshine is an antidepressant as well as Fresh Air!  In Japan where they still have many forests, people practice Shinrin-yoku, also known as Forest Bathing.  Japanese scientists have done numerous studies and have established the many benefits of Forest Bathing.  Often office workers, teachers, and students will take a walk in the woods on their lunch break instead of going to get fast food or noodles!

We know we are made to move.  All we have to do is watch an action movie or a baseball game or try-outs for the Summer Olympics in Paris!  Young people and seasoned athletes are running faster, swimming longer faster, leaping higher and doing everything better every year.  This is amazing and wonderful to watch.

However, most of us are not aspiring for the Summer Olympics and may find ourselves sitting longer in front of our larger-than-life watching all these amazing athletes.  Maybe we should do more exercise now so we can enjoy sitting with the Olympics!

Unfortunately, our current “modern” society is structured to keep us sitting during the day.  We are either sitting for work, or sitting in a car or truck or bus.  And, sitting for entertainment.  We have gotten too used to sitting.

So, whenever you have the opportunity, or you are feeling bored, or just generally dis-satified with life, get up and move.  Seriously, clean the kitchen cabinets, the closet in the hall, or the neglected flower beds in front.  You will feel better.  All your systems will function better.  Your memory will probably respond faster.  And, you will be pleased with your accomplishments!

If you are not able to move around like you used to or you are recovering from an accident or surgery, then wiggle your fingers and your toes.  Wiggle your nose.  Then smile at your toes, your feet, your legs and knees.  Keep smiling at your tummy and all your internal organs, especially your wonderful Heart.  Remember to smile and appreciate your mouth and jaw, your nose, your eyes and ears and all the sensitivity of your skin.  Pat the top of your head and tell yourself, “Good Job” just for being on the planet.

Then take a few deep and slow breaths, feeling the air moving in and down into your lungs.  You will begin to feel better and your whole body will begin to function better.  All those system alarms related to a lack of O2 will begin to fade.  If you can find something to laugh about, even better!

It is warm outside, but if you can find a way to go out when it is cooler, you will find it is very pleasant and often calming.  Have a wonderful week as you find more ways to move, including your ears!