Getting body fat to burn faster has become a national obsession. Many of us work out daily, even when it isn’t any fun. We try to find magic foods that improve our metabolism so we can eat more without gaining weight. We join programs designed to help us burn fat faster.

But perhaps the answer is right under our noses - literally.

Breathe deeper, bring more oxygen into your body, and your fat will burn faster, just like blowing on a fire in the fireplace.

Can something as simple as breathing make a difference in how many calories your body burns? Yes, and there are at least two reasons why.

First, deep breathing has long been used as a relaxation technique, and the more you relax, the fewer stress hormones you have coursing through your bloodstream. Stress hormones, including cortisol, prepare your body for fighting or running.

To do that, they shut down all systems that are not needed for immediate survival, as though you were under attack. Since you are not (I hope) under attack, you want all your systems running at optimum level. More oxygen, less stress, and more relaxation allows your body to work more efficiently, even at rest. You can get all that just by taking the time to breathe deeply.