Air- 6th Law of Health

I am going to quote from one of the Natural Remedies missionaries, who helped bring greater awareness to natural methods of healing and to practicing sound health and nutrition. That notable figure is the one and only Jethro Kloss, and I will be quoting from the original complete text of his well-known book, Back to Eden.

“ Air is a simple mixture of numerous gases, but is chiefly composed of oxygen and nitrogen. Life is more dependent upon the regular and adequate supply of oxygen that any other element. “

As Jethro Kloss so eloquently states in his book, we require oxygen to stay alive — for cells to grow, function, and survive. Adequate amounts of oxygen are essential to maintain health and support every metabolic process. It has been demonstrated that prolonged inhalation of air with an imbalanced composition leads to serious problems in the body and, over time, can result in much greater harm, even death.

Jethro continues, offering example after example in his book, like this remarkable story I’ll try to paraphrase. An old Army surgeon was responsible for several large hospitals during the war; at one point he had 320 measles cases through the winter. Unfortunately, one hospital caught fire and burned down, forcing all patients to be moved out into tents on the ground. The account goes on to say that all but two of them recovered. Had they remained confined within the enclosed hospital walls, thirty or more would have stayed ill or fared far worse.

If you struggle to breathe, I suggest adding outdoor time to increase your fresh air. Walking outside gives you sunshine, gentle exercise, and the cleaner air that can help you fight current illnesses. This simple habit supports a stronger immune system. Walking also increases the amount of oxygen you inhale—about three times more during active movement. I like to multitask, so a peaceful walk in nature is exactly what many of us need. Even if you live in a concrete jungle, getting outside remains essential—rainy, cloudy, or otherwise. I’m not advocating extremes; just be safe. Enjoy your time outdoors, breathe deeply, and appreciate the space and moment you’re in. Recognize that by taking that short outdoor walk, you’re already fulfilling three of the eight core wellness practices.

I’m going to be completely real with you. With all the health issues I’ve struggled through and the progress I’ve made in healing, my body still has a hard time, especially in winter. I’ve also moved somewhere where it can be painfully difficult some days just to step outside. I’ve had to push through those moments. I started giving myself small rewards for getting out and enjoying the fresh air. I’m learning to persevere in certain situations because I’m so grateful I did and gave myself the chance. Usually something good comes from it. So now I’m beginning to look forward to going outside and taking walks. I also speak kindly to myself and say thank you as I go. Why? Because it helps reprogram my brain with healthy, happy habits that positively impact my health and overall wellness.