Regularly breathing fresh air can be one of the best things you can do for your well-being. Fresh air makes you healthier and happier. With many of us spending the bulk of our time in air-conditioned offices throughout the week, it can be difficult to ensure that we go outside and get some fresh air into our lungs.
Since the benefits of breathing fresh air are plenty, it is important to make sure you are getting enough fresh air. Here are just some of the benefits that fresh air can have for your health.
Positive Effect On Overall Health
Many studies show that exposure to outdoor air pollution has significant risks to your health. People living in polluted areas are susceptible to numerous health issues, including cancer, asthma, heart disease, obesity and even dementia. While there is not a correct amount of fresh air to breathe, it is clear that the fresher air we breathe, the more we can benefit from it.
Strengthen Immunity
Exposure to fresh air can help to generate the bacteria needed to protect yourself from harmful pathogens. A pathogen is the first link in the chain of an infection, and the only way they can be stopped is to have a host of good bacteria defending your body.
Regularly breathing fresh air is an effective way to help bolster your immune system and fight off pathogens. With outdoor air likely to be less contaminated than the air in your home or office, you should head outside and get active as often as possible.
Prevent Asthma Attacks & Reduce Allergies
The damage that can be inflicted on lungs of people living in heavily polluted areas should not be under-estimated. Lungs can become irritated, which increases the chances of allergies and asthma attacks. Air pollution can also affect lung development in children, which makes them susceptible to asthma and allergens. Breathing fresh air helps reduce inflammation and improves the functioning of your lungs.
Improve Blood Pressure & Heart Health
If you have medical conditions related to blood pressure, you should avoid polluted environments and try to stay in surroundings that have a good supply of fresh air. Polluted environments force the body to work harder, to get the amount of oxygen it needs. Your heart must work harder to pump blood and accordingly is not good for your health.
Reduce Your Stress & Sleep Better
Research shows that exposing your lungs to fresh air can help to relieve stress and anxiety. Oxygen is thought to affect the levels of serotonin released in the body, which contributes to feelings of happiness and relaxation. The amount of serotonin is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale. Serotonin can significantly lighten your mood and promote a sense of well-being. Breathing fresh air is also beneficial in helping relieve insomnia. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed.
Increase Your Energy Levels
If you spend most of your time at home or in an office, you may find yourself feeling the effects of fatigue. This may be due to the limited amount of fresh air you are breathing. Many people are used to breathing in the impure air that circulates around a confined space without considering its negative effects.
When we feel tired, we usually reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to go outside and take in the fresh air. It has been shown that stepping outside helps in reinvigoration and increasing energy levels.
Sharpen Your Mind
Fresh air helps you to think better. Your brain needs twenty percent of your body’s oxygen. When your brain gets more oxygen, it is going to be able to function more efficiently. More oxygen brings greater clarity to the brain, improves your concentration, helps you to think more clearly and has a positive effect on your mood.
Improve Your Digestion
For optimum digestion you need to be in a relaxed state, ideally moving around and away from stress. Actively seeking fresh air after a meal forces you to be active and take a break from daily pressures. Taking a stroll allows you to get the fresh air your body needs.
