Many travelers making their way to Thailand have one thing in mind.  And that is heading to the open sea.   Taking a long tail boat out into the pristine turquoise torrent for a bit of scuba diving or snorkeling.  All the while gazing out upon the Andaman Sea and breathing in the fresh cool air.  One thing can be said for sure.  The tropical scenery here in Krabi with white sandy beaches, lush foliage and a cool sea breeze to cool you amidst the humidity will simply take your breath away.

But Krabi does not just take your breath away, it also gives back.  You might say, “What do you mean; it also gives back”?  Krabi, Thailand has some of the freshest air in the North Eastern hemisphere.  The quality of the air has been unspoiled by automobile exhaust and industrial plants oozing waste emissions in to the air. Unaware the entire time you are walking along the beach or drinking a fresh coconut juice under a palm tree, you are providing yourself the number one need of the human body; Air.  A mixture of invisible, odorless, tasteless gases that surround you as simply enjoy your holiday.

Air or Oxygen if you will, is something that you’ve got to have; period.  All that need be done to see the importance of oxygen is to cut off its supply for just a few minutes.  Life can remain without food for a few weeks, without water for a few days, but only a few minutes without oxygen. There is a continual process of taking in air.  Filling our trillions of cells with oxygen then breathing out carbon dioxide; thus removing toxins from our oxygenated body.  The length of human life depends on the quality of air that is breathed in.  Air influences the level of health that is attained throughout your life time.

Endurance building activities often referred to as aerobic exercise is a great way to obtain air.  Aerobic literally means “with oxygen”.  A few aerobic exercises, which can be sustained, are walking, swimming, jogging, dance, jumping rope, etc.  These forms of exercise circulate blood to the muscles along with oxygen to produce energy to perform a physical task, as well as burn fat.

Deep breathing is also a key factor to bringing plenty of air into the lungs.  Sadly, most adults breathe quite shallowly.  Tight clothing, sitting hunched over, sitting sedentary and being under stress produce shallow breathing.  However, this can be reversed.  Here are a few suggestions to help you fill your body with air as you enjoy your time in paradise.

1.  Squeeze and relax each and every muscle from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.  Hold each flex or contraction for approximately 3 seconds, release and go to the next body part. Do this either standing or lying down.  The blood will circulate and drive oxygen throughout your entire body.
2. Deep breathing. Improper breathing causes oxygen deficiency. Use the full capacity of your lungs by expanding both the chest and lower abdomen. This is even better if you are out of doors, where there is better air quality.  Sitting on a mat on the beach is a great location for you to practice this exercise. Begin breathing from your diaphragm.  Keep your shoulders pressed away from your ears and breathe in deep enough to where you feel your lower rib cage increase.  It should pinch just a bit. When exhaling, use your stomach muscles to push the air out as if you are pulling your belly button to the back of your spine.  You want to eliminate all of the air from your lungs before taking in your next breath.  Do this 5 times.
3. Aerobic exercise increases the capacity of the heart to pump blood and increases the capacity of the lungs.  It doesn’t matter what aerobic exercise you do.  No matter what it is, try to start from 5 minutes up to 15/20 minute intervals.  Just have fun, breathing in and out.  Giving your body the number one need that it has; air!
4. Eat smaller nutrient-dense meals as overeating causes oxygen deficiency. Thailand has delicious health food. Consume meals that are easy to digest, not engorging yourself.  You will find that you are not taxing your body and exhausting your oxygen, as your body tries to process your meal.

One more tip as you make your way back to where you call home.

Avoid carbon monoxide.  Simply put; bad stinky air is of no value to your body.  Car exhaust, cigarette smoke, refinery fumes and the like should be avoided when at all possible.

Enjoy your time in the “land of smiles”; now breath…

Zina is the founder of “i AM WOMAN”.  Educating woman to discover their health and beauty from the inside out; overcome weight issues, sickness and disease. Want to know more.  Contact:  info@beautyfromtheinsideout.org