6 Reasons to Stop Mouth Breathing

The Importance of Nasal Breathing 24/7 in Buteyko Breathing

Nasal Breathing - A Foundation for Health & Wellbeing

A cornerstone of The Buteyko Method, is the practice of nasal breathing, during the day, at night, and while exercising. Apart from when you are talking and eating, your mouth should be closed at all times. Nasal breathing is essential for maintaining optimal health and wellbeing, and offers the following benefits over mouth breathing:

Filtering of Dust, Pollen & Pollution

Firstly, nasal breathing serves as a highly effective filter against airborne particles, such as dust, pollen, and other pollutants. With thousands of cilia lining the nasal cavity, these tiny hairs work tirelessly to filter out these irritants, making it especially crucial for individuals with respiratory issues such as asthma and rhinitis, as it significantly reduces inflammation in the nose and lungs.

Warming & Moistening Air

Moreover, the nose also plays a vital role in warming and moistening the air we breathe. This process is essential to prepare the air for our lungs, as mouth breathing can lead to dehydration and irritation of the lungs, which can exacerbate symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Enhanced Immune Function

Nasal breathing can boost the immune system by helping to filter harmful particles in the air such as droplets of mucus and saliva carrying cold, flu and Covid viruses. The small hairs in the nose help to trap these particles and prevent them from entering the body. Additionally, nasal breathing helps to stimulate the production of nitric oxide, which has been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. So, by changing to light nasal breathing, we can minimise the risk of viruses entering and taking hold in the body.

Reduced Stress & Anxiety

Another significant advantage of nasal breathing is its calming effect on the body, as it encourages diaphragmatic breathing, which slows down our breathing rate and helps balance our Autonomic Nervous system. In contrast, mouth breathing activates muscles in the upper chest and shoulders, leading to activation of the sympathetic nervous system, triggering a constant fight or flight response.

Bronchodilator effects of Nitric Oxide and Carbon Dioxide

Furthermore, the bronchodilator effects of nitric oxide and carbon dioxide, which are elevated during nasal breathing, serve to open up airways, lower inflammation in the lungs, and reduce symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness.

Improved Blood Flow & Oxygen Delivery

Lastly, nasal breathing has been shown to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to our organs, muscles, and brain, thanks to the Bohr Effect. By contrast, mouth breathing can lead to chronic hyperventilation, which affects blood PH levels, causing our blood vessels to constrict and restrict blood flow to the tissues in our body.