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This Simple 60-Second Move Cleanses Your Lungs and Floods Your Body With Oxygen

Why most people are only breathing at 70%—and the one habit that could protect your lungs, boost immunity, and make you feel ALIVE again

By Rukka NovaPublished 9 months ago 4 min read
This Simple 60-Second Move Cleanses Your Lungs and Floods Your Body With Oxygen
Photo by Victor on Unsplash

Take a deep breath.

No, really—do it right now.

Inhale as far as you can.

Exhale slowly.

Feels good, right?

Now here's the shocking truth: you probably only used about 70 to 80% of your lung capacity. That means 20 to 30% of your lungs are basically asleep—gathering dust (sometimes literally), underused, underappreciated, and underperforming.

And according to wellness expert Dr. Alan Mandell, that’s not just limiting your oxygen intake—it could be impacting every single cell in your body.

But there’s good news: it takes just one move to start reversing this. One simple, intentional breathing technique that can wake up the rest of your lungs, flush out toxins, and give your body the oxygen it craves.

Let’s dive in—because your lungs have been waiting long enough.

The Forgotten Power of the Lungs

We often take our lungs for granted. They’re just… there. Breathing. Working. Until they don’t.

But your lungs are more than just air sacks.

They are the central oxygen supply for your entire body. Every cell. Every organ. Every function depends on how well you breathe.

When you breathe deeply, oxygen reaches your brain, fueling mental clarity, focus, and emotional regulation.

When your breath is shallow—like most people’s is by default—you starve your system. Over time, this lack of oxygen can lead to fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and vulnerability to disease.

By Kinga Howard on Unsplash

🤔 Are You Breathing Wrong?

Here's what most people get wrong about breathing:

We use only the upper chest, neglecting the powerful diaphragm.

We take short, shallow breaths—especially when stressed, sedentary, or staring at screens.

We leave nearly a third of our lungs inactive with every single breath.

This underuse causes stagnant air to sit in the lower parts of the lungs. That stagnant air?

  • Holds carbon dioxide and toxins
  • Prevents proper oxygen exchange
  • Creates a breeding ground for pathogens

It’s like owning a mansion but living in just one room. The rest of your lung space becomes wasted square footage.

💨 Enter: The Diaphragm—Your Breathing Superpower

Your diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle located below your lungs. It’s responsible for 80% of the work when you breathe deeply.

When it contracts, it pulls down and creates space for your lungs to expand. When it relaxes, air is pushed out.

Most people never consciously engage their diaphragm. Instead, they breathe into their shoulders and chest, which limits lung expansion and oxygen absorption.

But when you activate the diaphragm, something amazing happens:

  1. You pull in deeper, cleaner air
  2. You stretch and expand the lower lung zones
  3. You trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and calming the mind
  4. You clear out residual toxins lingering in the lungs

By Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

🚨 Shallow Breathing = Shallow Health

Still not convinced?

Let’s break down what happens when you neglect deep breathing:

The Consequences of Shallow Breathing:

  • Brain fog from low oxygen
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Weakened immunity (oxygen is vital for fighting pathogens)
  • Poor circulation
  • Anxiety and panic (shallow breathing mimics stress responses)
  • Increased inflammation and acidity in the body

Now, imagine reversing all of that with one move…

✅ The One Move That Changes Everything: Conscious Deep Breathing

This is where we drop the mic.

He recommends practicing diaphragmatic breathing—also known as belly breathing—for just 60 seconds a few times a day.

That’s it.

Here’s how to do it:

By Darius Bashar on Unsplash

🔄 The 60-Second Lung Cleansing Breath

Sit or stand tall, shoulders relaxed.

Place one hand on your chest, the other on your belly.

Inhale deeply through your nose for 4 seconds, making sure your belly—not your chest—rises.

Hold the breath for 4 seconds.

Exhale slowly through pursed lips for 6-8 seconds, feeling your belly fall.

Repeat for 60 seconds. That’s about 5–7 deep, conscious breaths.

This simple technique:

  • Activates your full lung capacity
  • Boosts oxygen delivery to organs
  • Clears stale air and toxins
  • Relieves stress in real-time
  • Strengthens respiratory muscles
  • Improves mental clarity, posture, and energy

🌬️ The Science: Why It Works

You don’t need to be a doctor to appreciate this.

But it helps to understand why this move works so powerfully.

Deep breathing engages your entire respiratory system:

It stimulates the alveoli (tiny air sacs) in the lower lungs that often go unused.

It promotes efficient gas exchange—more oxygen in, more carbon dioxide out.

It lowers cortisol, your primary stress hormone.

It improves pH balance in the blood by reducing acidity.

It boosts lymphatic flow, helping detoxification.

Every breath becomes a mini-detox, a reboot, a recharge.

⚔️ Deep Breathing as Your Daily Defense

In a world filled with pollution, stress, viruses, and toxins—your breath is your first line of defense.

Engaging your full lung capacity helps fight off pathogens by:

  • Strengthening lung tissue
  • Preventing buildup of mucus and toxins
  • Increasing immune cell activity
  • Enhancing oxygen circulation to all major systems

Plus, it can help those with:

  • Asthma
  • COPD
  • Chronic sinus issues

Post-COVID respiratory weakness

📅 When to Practice Deep Breathing (And Build a Habit)

Make this your daily wellness ritual, and you’ll feel the benefits compound.

Here’s a suggested schedule:

🌅 Morning

Start your day oxygenated. Practice 1–2 minutes of belly breathing right after waking.

🧘‍♂️ Midday

Feeling sluggish after lunch? Breathe deeply to reboot your focus and energy.

🌙 Evening

Before bed, use deep breathing to calm your nervous system and prepare for restful sleep.

By kike vega on Unsplash

✨ Bonus: Stack the Benefits

Want to boost your breathing practice even more?

Pair it with:

  • Green tea (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant)
  • Essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint
  • Gentle yoga or stretching
  • Outdoor air or nature walks
  • Listening to calm, rhythmic music during breathwork

💬 Real Talk: "Breath is the Bridge"

Think of your breath as the bridge between body and mind.

When you master it, you take control of your health in a way few people ever will.

And the best part?

It’s free.

It’s fast.

You can do it anywhere.

🧠 Final Breath: Your Body Was Built to Thrive—Give It the Oxygen It Deserves

There’s nothing magical about expensive detox kits or miracle powders when the real secret lies in what you do right now with your own body.

Every deep breath you take is a declaration of vitality.

A reclaiming of energy, health, and presence.

Your lungs have been quietly waiting. It's time to wake them up.

So breathe deep.

Start today.

And never underestimate the power of that one, conscious, life-giving move.

advicebodydiyhealthlifestylelistlongevity magazineorganicself carespiritualitywellnessyoga

About the Creator

Rukka Nova

A full-time blogger on a writing spree!

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