3 Simple Steps to Help You Breathe Better

Did you know that you breathe over 20,000 times a day? 

When a baby is born, everyone waits in eager anticipation to watch them take their first breath. 

When a person dies, loved ones gather around as they take their last breath.  

But what about all those breaths in-between? 

Has anyone ever taught you how you should breathe?

Breathwork is not something that is talked about in the current healthcare system very often but learning to breathe correctly is so important to our overall health and wellbeing and is critical for the success of everything else you are doing in your health journey! 

While breathing can be an unconscious action it is unique because we can bring consciousness and awareness to it.

There are so many amazing benefits to practicing breathwork.

Here are the top 6 benefits:

• Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety

• Boosts the immune system

• Creates stronger willpower

• Increases self-image and confidence

• Improves sleep

• Increases our ability to focus

Simply put - your breath is one of the most important aspects of your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health!

So, how can we learn how to breathe better? 

While you could spend your life mastering proper breathing techniques, here are three simple things you can start practicing today to help you breathe better: 

Oral Posture

Oral posture refers to the placement of your tongue in your mouth. Most people let their tongue rest at the bottom of their mouths and press it against their bottom teeth… This can cause sinus issues, muscle tension, snoring, and sleep apnea, as well as impede your ability to breathe correctly.

So what is correct oral posture?

It is really simple - ¾ of your tongue should be at the roof of your mouth and the tip of your tongue should be behind your two front teeth, lips sealed, and teeth slightly parted. Make sure to not put pressure on the two front teeth as this can cause your teeth to shift. 

Try it - no one will even know you’re doing it! 

Be conscientious of where your tongue is while you are on zoom calls at your desk, driving your car, or taking a walk, etc…. This is such an easy thing that makes a big difference in your mission to breathe correctly!

Nasal Breathing

As we just learned above, when your tongue is in the right position, it will force you to breathe through your nose. 

Why is breathing through your nose important? 

Here are several reasons: 

• Pressurizes the Air - This allows you to take deeper, more productive breaths  
• Filters/Cleans the Air - Mucus and nose hairs stop potentially harmful bacteria before they can enter the respiratory tract 
• Temperature Regulates the Air - Nasal passageways warm/cool and prime the air  
• Prevention of Dry Mouth and Dehydration - If you are breathing through your mouth water loss is accelerated
• Increases Nitric Oxide Production - This lowers blood pressure because it dilates blood vessels. It also helps kill viruses, boost the immune system, and increase brain function! 

This all starts with correct oral posture.

Mouth Taping

Another simple, safe, and effective way to ensure that you are reaping the benefits of nasal breathing even while you sleep is to use mouth tape.

Mouth tape is skin-safe and hypoallergenic. You simply place a strip over your lips to keep them sealed securely and comfortably - it’s not painful! 

Using mouth tape not only allows you to reach deeper, more restful sleep but also helps you to wake up feeling more refreshed and healed (while passively receiving all the other benefits of nasal breathing we already discussed)!  

Practicing these 3 simple techniques - correct oral posture, nasal breathing, and mouth taping - can help you feel more calm, present, focused, and energized while you go about your busy day! 

If you aren’t breathing correctly, you simply won’t get as many benefits from the other health and wellness practices you are already implementing in your life.  

Sometimes we look for complicated convoluted solutions, but guess what? That is never going to get us anywhere….

It’s the simple things that we consistently do that are going to give us massive results! 

Let’s use some of the techniques that I’ve shared with you today to become more conscious about how we breathe so we can show up for ourselves and our loved ones as our best selves! 

Happy [mindful] breathing!

I love sharing simple and actionable health and wellness tips just like this with the people in our awesome Living Proof Community. 

If you want to learn more lifestyle strategies you can start using today to improve your health and wellbeing, then you’re invited to join the Living Proof Community on Facebook!

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