The other day I was running through the park with my husband when he kindly pointed out that I was huffing and puffing through my mouth. My husband, who is a doctor, warned me that this habit was bad for my health. At the time I scoffed at his remark, irritated that I was being told how to breathe. Of course, it turns out he was right
There are proven medical reasons behind the “breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth” technique practiced in yoga and other exercising modalities. Here are the top 5 reasons you should practice this as well:
- Nitric Oxide is a gas is made by your nose and sinus membranes. When you breath in through your nose small amounts of this gas are produced and mixes with the air flowing into your lungs. Nitric oxide has been proven to increase the oxygen absorption of your lungs by 10 to 25 percent. It is also lethal to bacteria and viruses, protecting your lungs against these airborne invaders.
- Your nervous system is interconnected which means your nose is actually connected to your lungs and heart. Studies show that impaired nose breathing can increase your stress response and blood pressure.
- Stagnant blockage of your sinus pathways by the 2 pints of mucous made each day by your nose can lead to infections.
- Mouth breathing can exacerbate sleep apnea and snoring, which can in turn cause fatigue, depression, anxiety, weight gain, and cardiovascular disease.
- Your nose and taste buds are very closely connected. If you are unable to breathe through your nose properly your taste buds will be altered, leading to decreased appetite and taste perception.
You can practice this nose breathing technique by simply blowing out all the excess air in your lungs then taking a slow deep breath in through your nose. When you have reached your lungs full capacity, slowly exhale through your mouth. Doing this repeatedly while sitting quietly is a great way to achieve a health-promoting relaxed state.