We should not depend on only ventilating our homes in order to have good air quality and health. If we think more towards an outdoor life, we will enjoy good health and longevity. Even the air in the best ventilated home, is not anywhere close to being as good as outdoor air. It's very advantageous to try to get a lot of fresh air by taking a drive in the countryside or enjoying some time at camp.



Climate is also something to consider. Not everyone can have the option of living in what is considered the best climate of the world. One advantage of fresh air, is that it can be enjoyed in almost any locale. Even so, the city outdoor air is even stimulating.

Damp air is often exaggerated as being unhealthy. While air that is moderately dry can be advantageous, it is however true that even damp, foggy, out-of-doors air is healthier than closed-up indoor air.

Research has shown that students that study in an open-window environment miss less at school for reasons of colds and other illnesses and will also learn more quickly. Parents should try to pursue fresh air for their children in the classroom. They should also insist on the option of playgrounds in the school yard.

Parents should also remember to take care that they are also getting plenty of fresh air by sometimes having picnics, visits to the nearby parks and hiking or biking trails, or other outdoor outings.

Whenever possible, outdoor activities should be selected before indoor activities such as doing farm work, gardening, picking apples or berries over working in a factory. Large numbers of population choose to leave the country to go to the city to become prosperous. This can at times be disastrous when wealth is in pursuit of health.

Realistically most people cannot be living outdoors all of the time. There is however usually some time during the 24-hour day when one can assure to get some fresh air from the outdoors. This can be done in the evening. One third of the time we spend of our day, is in bed. Because most of us confine ourselves indoors so much during the day, we should try to practice good air hygiene in the evening.

Good health can be attained in the simplest ways by sleeping in an outdoor sleeping porch or even an open or window tent. In previous years, people who suffered from tuberculosis were occasionally encouraged to sleep outdoors as a health measure, and would often conquer their disease much quicker.

It is a very good idea to protect yourself from the wind when sleeping in an outdoor area. Keep in mind that too many blankets next to the skin is not healthy.

It is very healthy to practice deep breathing exercises when outdoors. These should be practiced by breathing slowly through the nose and not through the mouth. An oriental deep-breathing exercise is to press on one side of the nose with one's finger, to close one of the nostrils, while breathing at the same time through the other nostril. By paying attention, we can know by the slight sounds of the air passing through, if the breathing is regular or irregular. These breathing exercises can be done at about three breaths per minute, and then slowly reduce it to maybe one or two per minute.

Deep breathing in itself is a fantastic exercise if done slowly. Forced rapid breathing can be harmful.

When one sings, one breaths deeply. Singing is therefore healthy!

Our mental condition is in close relation to our breathing. If we are nervous we will tend to keep trying to catch our breath. Slow even breaths promote calmness and relaxation. This is why in the East especially, breathing exercises are practiced as a way of achieving mental poise and aid in a religious life.

All material in this article is provided for your information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this information; instead, readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information and opinions expressed here are believed to be accurate, based on the best judgement available to the author, and readers who fail to consult with appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.