Nose Breathing VS Mouth Breathing
James Nestor is an author and journalist who has extensively researched the science and benefits of nasal breathing. In his book "Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art", Nestor argues that nasal breathing is essential for optimal health and wellbeing.
According to Nestor, nasal breathing has a number of benefits over mouth breathing, including:
Increased Oxygenation: Breathing through the nose helps to warm, humidify, and filter the air we breathe, which can improve oxygen uptake in the lungs.
Better Lung Function: Nasal breathing helps to strengthen the diaphragm and other breathing muscles, which can improve lung function and respiratory health.
Reduced Stress: Nasal breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Improved Sleep: Nasal breathing has been shown to improve sleep quality and reduce snoring and sleep apnea.
Improved Athletic Performance: Nasal breathing during exercise can improve oxygen uptake, reduce fatigue, and improve endurance.
Nestor argues that many people have lost the ability to breathe through their noses due to modern lifestyles and environmental factors, such as air pollution and chronic stress. He suggests that by consciously practicing nasal breathing and taking steps to improve our breathing habits, we can improve our overall health and wellbeing.
It's worth noting that while nasal breathing may have a number of benefits, it's not always possible or appropriate for everyone, particularly those with certain medical conditions or breathing disorders. As with any health advice, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your breathing habits or starting a new exercise program.
Members of the Relaxed Running Training Hub get full access to all of our bonus podcast episodes, video content, guided audio runs, bonus articles and all of our running training programs (from 5km-Marathon). More than that, just for being a member you will have access to our running professionals for members only discounted rate. It's only $5/month (USD) and you'll never pay more no matter how many resources we add - Join here
