Nasal breathing

Do you guys know about this? This was new to me. I had no idea how important it is to breathe through your nose! I also didn’t know that in several cultures it is considered extremely rude to breathe through your mouth. I listened to this podcast which sent me down a rabbit hole of research into this simple health hack.

Apparently, breathing through your mouth contributes to a disruption of the oral microbiome and even leads to an increase in cavities. Whaaaat? Studies are showing that it’s beneficial to put a small strip of medical tape over your lips to keep them gently closed during sleep. TBH I haven’t been brave enough to try this yet but I’m inching closer to it. How about you try it and let me know? Reports are showing less to complete resolution of snoring, improved sleep apnea and less tension and clenching in jaws. Amazing, right?

Scientists have studied nasal breathing for years - news to me - and plenty of this research shows that nasal breathing provides multiple benefits. Here are a few of the most notable: improved oxygen quality, improved athletic performance, decreased stress/anxiety, and better sleep. AND IT’S FREE.

Turns out our bodies are designed to breathe through the nose and this offers an opportunity to filter out unwanted particles that mouth breathing does not (hello flu season). It also slows breathing down which increases oxygen absorption time and soothes the nervous system.

But what if I’m stuffed up? I can already hear you asking. Sounds like a chance to feed two birds with one scone and get those breathing exercises in that you’ve been thinking about. How about a few minutes of alternate nostril breathing in the morning before you even get out of bed? Here is another option to help open up those airways.

Let me know what you think, if you try nasal breathing and what your results are. I sincerely want to know!