Article: The Art of Breathing: We take it for granted _ but breathing is vital to all we do.

Breathing is not something you have to think about. It just happens.

The body automatically takes in oxygen and expels carbon dioxide. That oxygen is crucial for cells to produce energy for muscle activity and to keep vital organs functioning, build new cells, heal wounds and keep the mind clear and alert. People can go days without water and weeks without food, but only six or seven minutes without oxygen.

So maybe we should think about breathing because even though it is the body's most important function, many of us don't do it effectively. We take short breaths when we're stressed. We breathe through our mouths. We use our chest muscles when ...

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