Breathing and Air Quality Sustainability: NSYSU Hosts IDG-Being Workshop

Research shows that humans inhale far more than they eat every day. In collaboration with the Taiwan Kaohsiung Inner Development Goals (IDG) Hub for SDG, the New Agriculture Caring Association (NACA), and the LomiLomi International Aroma Health Care Association, National Sun Yat-sen University (NSYSU) organized the workshop "Breathe Well · Love Yourself Well —Inner Development Goals-Being Workshop." Professor Chia C. Wang, Director of the Aerosol Science Research Center (ASRC) at NSYSU, emphasized that every person breathes in and out 10 to 20 kilograms of air daily—far exceeding the amount of food and water intake. This highlights the vital importance of air quality and sustainability, and through breathing and sensory awareness, participants were encouraged to experience the interconnectedness of humans and the environment.

The workshop featured three sessions: "Breathing and the Science of the Senses," "Gender Equality and the Three Gender Laws," and "Body Awareness and Self-Connection." Professor Wang pointed out that in modern life, fast-paced schedules and high stress often cause shallow or hyperventilated breathing. When combined with polluted air, this can lead to respiratory, cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases. While people often pay close attention to food quality, they frequently overlook whether the air they breathe is clean and healthy. To address this, Wang first introduced the biochemical and aerodynamic mechanisms of breathing, emphasizing the intricate science behind respiration.

From the perspective of neurophysiology, Wang explained how breathing affects the brain and emotions. She noted that conscious slow deep breathing is an innate emotional regulation tool, capable of stimulating the release of serotonin, oxytocin, and cortisol, as well as activating the vagus nerve. These processes help reduce anxiety, enhance stability and resilience, and foster creativity. Wang also highlighted the health risks of indoor and outdoor air pollution and aerosol formation, including indoor cooking, biomass burning, and reactive organic aerosols formed from limonene-ozone reactions—pollutant sources often overlooked by the public, enhancing participants' scientific literacy and awareness of air quality and breathing.

Dean of the School of Law at Fu Jen Catholic University, Professor Chih-Kuang Wu, gave a lecture on how university faculty should address gender-related incidents on campus. He provided an overview of Taiwan's three major gender equality laws—the Gender Equity Education Act, the Act of Gender Equality in Employment, and the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act—enhancing participants' understanding of gender equality regulations. Director of Personnel at NSYSU, Miao-Yin Lai, emphasized that cultivating gender equality awareness among faculty, staff, and students is key to reducing gender-related incidents and building a campus culture of equality, inclusivity, mutual support, and shared growth.

To deepen participants' sense of connection with nature, the workshop invited Ms. Chiu-Fang Wu, founder of "Zizai Shifang·Xiaochunrihe," (literally "koharubiyori," a Japanese term for spring-like days in late autumn) to guide attendees in preparing wholesome "Earth Lunchboxes" made with natural, minimally seasoned ingredients, promoting appreciation for Mother Earth's generosity and the value of reducing food waste. Mr. Teng-Yung Feng, founder of the New Agriculture Caring Association (NACA), also reminded participants of the importance of promoting innovative agriculture, safeguarding biodiversity, and advancing sustainability.

Dr. Min-Ching Huang, President of the LomiLomi International Aroma Health Care Association, explained that breathing and the five senses are modes of exchanging information with the environment and serve as pathways for inner dialogue with body, mind, and spirit. She guided participants to experience the close connection between smell and emotion through the scents of essential oils, and suggested that self-awareness combined with essential oils could be a practical tool for emotional regulation and self-care.

The workshop was also co-organized by NSYSU's Si-Wan Women Faculty Club and NSYSU Staff Association. By consciously experiencing breathing and the five senses, the event provided participants with a journey of self-healing and strengthening inner resilience.