Age-Proofing Your Brain – Oxygen, 2

Naturally, you will likely get more oxygen into your brain and body when you can breathe pure, fresh air. Avoid polluted environments such as those that contain second-hand tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, smoke from fires, or air that contains high levels of particulate matter. All of these take up space in the air that would otherwise contain oxygen. If you smoke, stop. If you don’t smoke, never start. Individuals who smoke on a regular basis are frequently anoxic—meaning they are not quite getting sufficient amount of oxygens. Breathe through your nose so its tiny hairs can  help filter out some of the dust, bacteria, germs, and other pollutants carried in the air. That prevents a least some of those undesirable particles from reaching your lungs. Breathing through your mouth allows anything that is in the air—good or bad¾to enter your lungs. Start each day with three Brain Breaths: Breathe in through the nose to a count of 8; Hold breathe to a count of 12; Breathe out through pursed lips to a count of 4. Do it two or three times throughout the day, as well.