Rx for long life: Breathe!

The secret to long life is as simple as breathing. In fact, it is knowing how to breathe properly. Altogether now: Inhale, exhale!

Dr. Andrew Weil, voted one of 100 most influential people in the world in 2005 and a respected alternative medicine guru, prescribes the Relaxing Breath Exercise or simply the 4-7-8, topping his list of recommendations for improving health.

Says Dr. Weil: “If I had to limit my advice on healthier living to just one tip, it would be simply to learn how to breathe correctly.”

Believing it is best to combine mainstream medicine (for crisis intervention) and alternative medicine (for prevention and health maintenance), Dr. Weil notes in his site: “Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing, and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders.”

Yes, breathing is a natural tranquilizer, something yoga practitioners must have discovered eons ago. Proper breathing enables you to oxygenate your body properly as well as correct your internal and energetic balance, which has a direct impact on your nervous system.

Though a lot of us probably take it for granted, breathing is a vital life function. We take in oxygen, which enables us to perform our activities day in and day out. Did you know that we take 21,600 breaths of air each day? The slower and deeper the breathing, the longer the life span.

According to the researchers, our breathing is an indicator of general health and vigor and literally a measure of living capacity.

So, how do you do 4-7-8? It’s as easy as 1-2-3, just remember the numbers 4, 7 and 8. How much time you spend in each phase of the breathing activity is not as important as getting the ratio correct.

Can’t wait to exhale? Here’s how to do the Relaxing Breath Exercise:

• Sit up straight.

• Place the tip of your tongue up against the back of your front teeth. Keep it there through the entire breathing process.

• Breathe in silently through your nose to the count of four.

• Hold your breath to the count of seven.

• Exhale through your mouth to the count of eight, making an audible “woosh” sound.

• That completes one full breath. Repeat the cycle another three times, for a total of four breaths.

Do this exercise as frequently as you want throughout the day, but don’t do more than four full breaths during the first month or so of practice. Then work your way up to eight full-breath cycles at a time.

Breathe better to live better? You can bet your life on it.

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That handshake is more infectious than a kiss

Like they say, KISS (keep it short and sweet). Did you know that when it comes to getting or passing on an infection, it could be more harmful to shake someone’s hand than to share a kiss?

Now, we know!

A recent report sends this friendly warning: You’re at far greater risk of passing on an infection by shaking somebody’s hand than by sharing a kiss.

The same report notes that regular hand washing may be your best bet against the spread of respiratory viruses such as influenza and SARS. It could be more effective than any drug.

FYI: Germs that cause stomach infections such as salmonella, campylobacter,and norovirus can circulate directly from person to person via your hands. Stomach germs can also be passed on if you put your fingers in your mouth or forget to wash your hands before preparing food. Breaking the chain of infection depends on how well you wash your hands.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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Warning on that trolley in the grocery

A friendly warning for mommies who bring their precious little ones when they do their groceries:

Dear Consumerline:

I have a thing or two to add regarding your warnings when using the trolley in the grocery. I’ve noticed that some shoppers put their kids in the trolley to keep them from roaming around, but the kids also get the germs from the trolley and then, unknowingly, they put their hands in their mouths; or sometimes, they eat without the mothers wiping their hands; and the worst, they even directly wipe their lips on the handles!

Likewise, there are ladies, young and old, who, when using the public toilet, just put down their bags and groceries on the floor while they do their thing inside the cubicle ... just imagine how much germs those bags and groceries could get from the floors!

If only most people would be observant and do the right thing, there would be less diseases we could contract from our environment.

Mic Cubelo

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No ifs and VATs about it

This is a complaint of all senior citizens of this country. Listen up:

Dear Consumerline:

I am a senior citizen and on medications.  It would be a great help to us, the elderly, if we could be given more than just 20-percent discount for our medicines.  We pay a 12-percent VAT and that means we only get an eight-percent discount.  A lot of us senior citizens are on maintenance medicines.  I do hope and pray that we can be given a bigger discount soon.

Florence

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We’d love to hear from you. E-mail us at ching_alano@yahoo.com.