Online Class Notes (Jesse) [W]

Writing exercise

In today’s society, fierce competition requires us to strive to ensure success in all areas of life. However, it’s almost impossible to stay energetic at all times. Conditions such as depression, frequent fatigue, insomnia, headaches and difficulty focusing are not uncommon for most people. The boundary state between health and disease is known as the “grey state†or “third state†in medicine. Scientists have done a great amount of research on this “common problem†and report a series of feasible health prescriptions.

Firstly, an ideal diet needs to be nutritionally balanced, which means it’s imperative that we take in a healthy amount of necessary nutrition including sugars, protein, minerals and vitamins every day. Secondly, vitamins play such an important role that we cannot ignore them, for example Vitamin A can have a positive effect on vision and Vitamin D is especially necessary for people who spend a lot of their day indoors. People under great stress can take in Vitamin C by consuming fresh fruit and vegetables. Thirdly, be relaxed. A study from America has shown that people who are both successful and who lead an active lifestyle are often characterized as having strong mental health. Fourthly, nature can be a helpful tool. Negative ion concentration in forests is higher than in cities and it can regulate the nervous system, digestion, respiration and so on. Finally, a nap after lunch enables us to accomplish work with half the effort.

A combination of all of these tips has the ability to assist in both avoiding and lifting us out of the “third stateâ€.


It is clear that we are unable to live without air. However, not all of us use the proper way to breathe. Both British and Chinese studies in their respective countries have shown that between 50 to 90 percent of people simply do not breathe properly, and are unable to subconsciously adjust their aspiration when necessary, leading to frequent fatigue and the onset of many diseases as a result of oxygen deprivation in the brain.

So what are the advantages of abdominal deep breathing? Firstly, it can prevent respiratory diseases including chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary emphysema and so on. Secondly, deep breathing helps in the prevention of hypertension. Furthermore, it promotes health and longevity.

Given the fact that deep breathing benefits us in so many ways, it’s important for us to consider the ways in which we can practice it. Yifan Lu suggests that the most effective way to breathe is to hold the air for ten to twenty seconds after aspiration and then exhale completely, which is good for gas exchange in the alveolus and digestive absorption. Cunxiu Long advocates another way of breathing which is based on abdominal respiration and fills the lungs with air through maximum movement of muscle groups from the lungs and ribs, to the diaphragm. Although this approach needs to be done deliberately in the beginning, he believes it can help us master strength and rhythm, boost efficiency, adjust the status of both the body and mind, and have a general stabilizing effect on mood.