BREATH HOLDING Meaning and
Definition
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Breath holding refers to the voluntary or involuntary act of intentionally stopping breathing for a certain period of time. It is the practice of temporarily suspending respiration, either by choice or due to an inherent reflex, typically motivated by specific purposes such as entertainment, training, or medical evaluation.
In the context of entertainment or recreational activities, breath holding is often seen in competitive sports or games, where individuals challenge themselves or others to hold their breath for extended periods underwater or in various conditions. This practice requires conscious control over the breathing process and involves submersion in water, usually in a pool, to measure the duration of breath holding.
Breath holding exercises also have a significant place in certain forms of martial arts, yoga, and meditation techniques. These practices aim to enhance mental and physical stamina, focusing on deep diaphragmatic breathing followed by conscious breath retention.
Furthermore, breath holding can also occur involuntarily as an autonomic physiological response triggered by different factors such as diving or underwater conditions, excessive carbon dioxide levels in the body, or immersion reflex. These involuntary breath-holding situations are mainly associated with the body's defense mechanisms to adapt to changes and protect against potential harm.
In medical settings, breath-holding tests are sometimes performed to evaluate respiratory function, cardiovascular health, or to diagnose specific conditions such as breath-holding spells, a temporary loss of consciousness often experienced by children in response to specific triggers like fear, anger, or pain.
Overall, breath holding encompasses intentional voluntary actions as well as involuntary physiological responses related to the temporary suspension of breathing, commonly observed in various recreational, health-related, and physiological contexts.
Etymology of BREATH HOLDING
The term "breath holding" is derived from the combination of the words "breath" and "holding".
The word "breath" can be traced back to the Old English "bræð", which means "odor, scent, exhalation, vapor". It is also related to the Old High German "bradam" and the Old Norse "brenna", both meaning "smell, stench". The word "breath" eventually evolved to specifically refer to the air taken in and expelled during the act of breathing.
The word "hold" originates from the Old English word "haltian", which means "to keep, grasp, possess". It is related to the Old Norse "halda" and the German "halten", both having similar meanings.
Regarding the combination, "breath holding" refers to intentionally ceasing inhalation and holding the breath for a certain period of time.
