Listen to this post:
Hey,
Here’s your weekly dose of breathing and diabetes fun. Plus, a letter I wrote 10 years ago…
I hope you enjoy reading!
4 Thoughts
1. Breathing Gives Us What Babies Want
In the Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz discusses a fascinating study:
Group 1: Infants were able to control some dancing toys by turning their heads in their cribs. It made them really happy to see the toys.
Group 2: Got “a free ride.” They saw the same toys, but theirs just randomly appeared when the Group 1 babies made them turn on.
The Group 2 babies still found this very entertaining, at least at first. But they eventually lost interest, whereas Group 1 didn’t:
“The different reactions of the two groups caused researchers to conclude that it is not dancing toy animals that are an endless source of delight for infants, but rather having control. Infants kept smiling and cooing at the display because they seem to know that they made it happen.”
I think this study demonstrates why breathing (especially Wim Hof) is so impactful. It taps into a desire that’s in us since birth—the desire for control.
Breathing gives it to us, immediately. We can instantly change our state, and we know we made it happen, not some external force. We become Group 1.
It’s like what Barry Schwartz says when interpreting those babies’ reactions:
“I did this, isn’t it great? And I can do it again whenever I want.”
2. The Upside of Diabetes
“When I was eleven years old, I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. This taught me a lot of responsibility at a young age…I have to incorporate a lot of “thinking ahead” and problem solving into my daily routine…Furthermore, it has taught me to always be positive and to be grateful for every opportunity I have…Although I do not enjoy having diabetes, it has definitely had a positive impact on my life.”
I wrote that 10 years ago when I was applying for graduate school.
Fast forward to today, and it’s often depressing researching about breathing and diabetes. As excited as I get about breathing, I’m also continuously reminded of all the ways diabetes is ruining my health. Thanks, science.
But in reality, I’ve always felt that diabetes is the best thing to ever happen to me. And I still 100% agree with everything I said 10 years ago.
I’m not saying diabetes doesn’t suck. But, I try not to forget that it could be a lot worse and that it has had many positive impacts on my life.
So here’s to keeping a positive outlook, while simultaneously being realistic, knowing that we need to take extra good care of our bodies and health.
…
P.S. This was inspired by my recent re-reading of The Upside of Stress.
P.P.S. You can read the letter by clicking here.
3. How Slow, Deep Breathing Taps into A Natural Rhythm in Our Bodies
“Noble’s research demonstrates how tiny mechanisms throughout our cardiovascular system oscillate at that same frequency of 0.1 Hertz. ‘It’s almost like an inherent rhythm,’ he says. ‘Your breath may be unlocking this rhythm that you already have going on in the background.’”
- How Slow, Deep Breathing Taps Into A Natural Rhythm In Our Bodies
I read this article first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. It was so good, I think I starting buzzing at 0.1 Hz : ) It’s just so awesome seeing “breathing” continue to seep into popular resources like Discover Magazine.
Read it, practice it, share it, and enjoy it. As they say in the article, “All you need is a pair of lungs, and some discipline.”
…
P.S. Another reason this was so much fun to read was because a 411 reader sent it to me. It’s my favorite thing in the world when you all send me such good stuff. Thanks, as always, “Midnight Larry!”
4. How To Get The Benefits of Breathing Without the Mastery
“Happily, the benefits of training in meditation arrive long before mastery does.”
- Sam Harris
The same is true for slow breathing. And it’s simple to get the benefits of breathing without mastery: Just get started.
I still suck at breathing. I’m continuously working on it. But I’ve seen incredible benefits because I practice every single day.
So don’t worry about perfection or mastery. Just get started. The best way to do that? Just four minutes a day—two in the morning, two before bed.
…
P.S. This was inspired by a +1 from my favorite teacher, Brian Johnson.
Related Quote: "How do you best move toward mastery? To put it simply, you practice diligently, but you practice primarily for the sake of the practice itself." - Robert Greene, Mastery
1 Quote
“The nose is the silent warrior: the gatekeeper of our bodies, pharmacist to our minds, and weather vane to our emotions.”
- James Nestor, Breath
1 Answer
Answer: In a blue whale, this organ weighs over 1,500 lbs.
…
(Cue the Jeopardy! music.)
…
Question: What is its heart?
I wonder what it’s resonant frequency is… : )
Sign Up For The Breathing 411
Each Monday, I curate and synthesize information from scientific journals, books, articles, and podcasts to share 4 thoughts, 1 quote, and 1 answer (like "Jeopardy!") related to breathing. It’s a fun way to learn something new each week.