How to Naturally Increase Your
Oxygen Absorption
Two Breathing Exercises
I
f you want to increase your oxygen absorption and improve your respiratory health,
breathing exercises can be very effective. Contrary to popular belief, simply breathing
faster is not the solution. In this article, we’ll explore how oxygen and carbon dioxide work
together, and some exercises you can do to improve your breathing biomechanics.
Your O2 Levels Are Likely “Full”
Most people have optimal blood oxygen levels between 95-99% all throughout the day. Think
of your blood oxygen stores as your tank of gas, when the tank is full, it’s full; and there is no
added benefit to pumping more and overflowing gas onto the floor. Accelerated breathing is
the norm right now, often fueled by stress, anxiety, and poor health.
Your CO2 Levels Are Likely Lacking
The Bohr Effect, a phenomenon first documented by Danish researcher, Christian Bohr,
explains that oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells and requires carbon dioxide to
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release oxygen from hemoglobin and make it available for cellular use. This helps explain
why hyperventilation can cause dizziness, headache, or even fainting. There is plenty of
oxygen, but it’s all bound up and not accessible for us.
Rapid breathing reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in your lungs, and in the same way
that mild sleep deprivation can chip away at your health, chronic over-breathing can add a
low-level stress to your system.
As is true with everything in health, the objective is to find balance with breathing. This
means slowing the breath and training those muscles of respiration.
Resistance Breath
The diaphragm is your main breathing
muscle and can be strengthened through
resistance training just like any other
muscle. To accomplish this, it’s helpful to
inhale through a resistance device or even
an aluminum straw.
To add to the benefits of this exercise, we’ll deliberately slow and deepen the breath to
optimize CO2 levels. Inhale through a resistance device as you count 1-2-3-4; and exhale
through your nose for 4-3-2-1.
Broom Pole Extension (2 min)
Lie on the floor with a block and a
cushion under your upper back. Grab a
broom pole and lift your arms above your
head. Breathe slowly and deeply to train
flexibility in the thoracic region, allowing
for improved breathing mechanics over
time.
Breathing exercises can be a powerful tool in optimizing your oxygen utilization and
enhancing overall breathing biomechanics. While there are some interesting use cases for
controlled hyperventilation practices—such as before exercises or first thing in the
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morning—the majority of your breathing practices should revolved around normalizing
respiration and improving your breathing biomechanics.
Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. If you have a serious
breathing problem, asthma, infection, or COPD, it is recommended to consult with a
trusted medical doctor.
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