There are two ways to intake air: through the nose or the mouth. While mouth breathing is an acceptable way to breathe, breathing through the nose is the best way to bring air into the body.
Nose Breathing Benefits
Some of the benefits of nose breathing include filtering out dust and allergens, humidifying the air you breathe in, boosting your oxygen uptake, and calming the body.
Filters Out Dust and Allergens
The nose has tiny hairs called cilia. When air is breathed in through the nose, the cilia inside the nose remove germs and environmental debris. This is an important function to keep our bodies healthy that mouth breathing does not do.
Humidifies Air Breathed In
In addition to filtering the air, the cilia also warm and humidify the air breathed in before it travels to the lungs. The warm and moist air helps to prevent damage to the respiratory system. Air that is too dry can dry out the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, which is why our bodies have a built-in humidifier.
Oxygen Uptake Boost
Breathing through the nose allows you to take deeper breaths, which then engage the lower lungs. When you engage your lower lungs, your body can pump more oxygen to the rest of your body, promoting healthy tissue and organ function.
Calming
When the lower lungs are activated, the body experiences a calming effect. The lower lungs contain the parasympathetic nerve receptors of the body, which are responsible for calming. When these parts of the lungs are engaged, the parasympathetic nerves are activated, and they tell the brain to send calming hormones to combat stress.
Nasal breathing also has the following benefits:
- allows the nasal cavities to increase airflow to arteries, veins, and nerves
- slows down breathing
- improves lung volume
- helps your diaphragm work properly
- lowers your risk of allergies and hay fever
- reduces your risk of coughing
- aides your immune system
- lowers the risk of snoring and sleep apnea
- supports the correct formation of teeth and mouth.
What seems like such a minor decision, breathing through the nose or the mouth, truly has a significant impact on our body and overall wellbeing.
Have trouble breathing through your nose?
That’s probably not your only problem!
You probably have issues with oral rest posture and chewing/swallowing too.
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