Sounds a little too simple, maybe 'click-baity' right? I understand. A simple thing like breathing differently is one of those things that is so fundamental, almost too easily attainable that it's hard to imagine it could make a significant difference.
That being said, I'm going to jump right into the core of it. If you're anything like me; your not a fan of reading someone's whole life story in a blog post just to get to a couple of sentences of value... So here it is:
Breathing through the nose consistently, whether exercising, sleeping or going about your day to day routines has DRAMATIC effects on improving our overall health.
When air comes in through our nose, pathogens get filtered, it gets humidified and also gets mixed with nitric oxide that is produced within the nasal canals.
Okay, what's the relevance of that?
Nitric oxide is an anti-bacterial, meaning it plays a huge role in breaking down harmful pathogens/viruses/germs before they enter our system...(YOU WILL NOT GET ILL SO FREQUENTLY). It also improves the oxygenation of blood through the lungs; oxygen rich blood helps your muscles work more efficiently, helps your brain run smoother with clearer thinking, protects you further against harmful growths or infections, it even helps you digest the food you are consuming much more effectively as digestion needs oxygen rich blood to help nutrients pass through the gut lining...
What about the mouth though, we're still breathing and getting air in through the mouth? We are still breathing and getting some air in yes, but we're being short changed on the rest. When breathing through the mouth we lose out on all that antibacterial defense of nitric oxide, as well as the enriching of the air to increase oxygenation. Regular mouth breathing has a direct and unequivocally proven correlation to falling ill more frequently, disturbed sleep and not reaching as deep states of sleep so frequently, to hindered digestion and even malformation of the teeth and jaw line! Just to name a few. To keep this brief and to the point, here's a quick list of the most common benefits one experiences from just switching from mouth breathing to nasal breathing throughout their day and nights, jot it down and experiment yourself;
Improved oxygenation of the blood: Nasal breathing allows for better filtration and humidification of the air we breathe, which can lead to improved oxygenation of the blood. This is especially important for athletes, who need a consistent supply of oxygen to perform at their best.
Better control of the autonomic nervous system: Nasal breathing has been shown to have a positive effect on the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for controlling functions like heart rate and blood pressure. By breathing through the nose, we can help regulate these functions and maintain a sense of balance in the body.
Reduced risk of respiratory infections: Nasal breathing helps to filter and humidify the air we breathe, which can reduce the risk of respiratory infections like the common cold. This is because the nose is equipped with tiny hairs called cilia that help to trap dirt, dust, and other particles before they reach the lungs.
Improved sleep quality: Nasal breathing can help improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and calming the mind. This is because the nasal passages are narrower than the mouth, which slows down the rate of breathing and encourages a more relaxed state.
Reduced stress and anxiety: Nasal breathing has been shown to have a positive effect on stress and anxiety levels. By taking slow, deep breaths through the nose, we can stimulate the relaxation response and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
More information will be delved into in further posts. But here is the quick overview to get started.
A couple of links to useful articles, podcasts, books or studies will also be included below.
(You'll be shocked at his study and findings by intentionally blocking his nose to mouth breath for 2 weeks solid)
Books/Audiobooks: Just Breathe https://www.amazon.com/Just-Breathe-Mastering-Breathwork-Business/dp/1501134388
The Oxygen Advantage https://www.amazon.com/Oxygen-Advantage-Scientifically-Breathing-Techniques-ebook/dp/B00RLU286G
Studies:
Mouth/Nasal Breathing differences in jaw and posture development https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27836765/
Increased endurance and reduced lactic acid build up
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