We can survive days without water, but only minutes without air. A refined form, oxygen, is used in hospitals when room air is insufficient, as often develops in end-stage emphysema. These people sit or lie with a tube in their nose trying to breathe, usually a consequence of smoking for many years. We won’t take space here, but the topic Tobacco / Addiction Withdrawal has helpful tips from the 5-Day Plan that have benefited many thousands.

Nature tends to put a negative charge on the air and this is beneficial. A study showed that rats breathing fresh air had greater resistance to tumors than those breathing stale indoor air.

Pure air implies absence of pollen for people with allergy problems. There are air purifiers designed to help homes reduce the pollen count. Such devices are used in some industries like broom shops or in silos (silo-filler’s disease).

It’s not obvious, but when air is not good, we don’t breathe deeply. Remember our rule: things that are good for the body are good many ways. Deep breathing—

· Enhances blood return to the heart

· Improves digestion and elimination

· Induces a sound, sweet sleep

As a sleep aid, I’ve found it helpful to hyperinflate the lungs for a few seconds and then squeeze all the air out for five or ten seconds—do this several times.

You can get some of the benefits of aerobic exercise without running or walking—just breathe deeply. An aid to this is good posture. Standing and sitting tall helps the mental and moral perspective as well as the physical, and it crowns us with courage, dignity and self-reliance.

Order two great books to help live without the need of medical care--Health & Happiness is the source of these concepts, and Why You Shouldn't Ask Your Doctor is my book that has natural remedies for 100 common conditions, both for the price of one!