What if I told you that you could minimise your risk of getting sick simply by changing the way you breathe? You probably won’t believe it’s possible, but yes it is.
Breathing may seem like the easiest, most natural activity in the world. Yet, you may be surprised to learn that many people are not doing it correctly. You will find most people tend to breathe on autopilot. in short sudden gasps, approximately 14 to 20 breaths per minute on average. This is three times faster than the five to six breaths per minute needed for you feel your best.
We have a lot to learn about breathing to improve the most basic of physiological functions.
Stop for a minute and focus on your own breathing. Observe your breath. Are taking short, shallow breaths? Are you taking long, deep breaths? Are you breathing from your stomach or diaphragm? Are you breathing through your nose or mouth? Or perhaps, both?
It is probably safe to say that you are possibly taking half breaths which are most common when you are focused on several things at once. You are probably breathing through your mouth most of the time, too. As a result your body is not getting enough oxygen for your optimal health.
What if I were to tell you that if you practised breathing through your nose your risk of illness would decrease? There is scientific evidence that nose breathing is actually more effective against illness. In fact, in 1931, German physiologist Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize for finding that when the cells in your body are oxygen deprived they become cancerous.
Is this an incentive to learn correct breathing techniques?
Breathing through your nose acts as a filter to flush out toxins and allergens which cause illness. It boosts your oxygen levels and humidifies the air you breathe. Mouth breathing dries out your mouth increasing bad breath, inflames the gums and there is no filter to stop harmful bacteria entering.
Your breath is the key to your holistic health journey. Your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing allow you to train your mind in relaxation. While meditation is the most common way to practise correct breath techniques; deep breathing exercises can also provide you the same benefits.
Two evidence based ways nose breathing helps prevent illness are:
🧘♀️ It forces you to slow down and control the breath thereby reducing hypertension and stress..
🧘♀️ It regulates blood pressure and boosts your immune system by filtering out harmful bacteria through the production of nitric oxide.
Below is a quick guide to correct breathing techniques using full, deep breaths from your diaphragm.
