5 ways practicing Nasal Breathing can improve your Wellbeing this Summer

by Henry Abrahams

Breathwork Practitioner and Performance Coach Connor Grant put together his top 5 reasons to make Breathwork (and in particular Nasal Breathing) part of your routine this summer.  Here's what he had to say...

 

 

The world-renowned breath training coach; Patrick Mckeown has recently identified more than thirty adaptive mind-body functions of nasal breathing. Which further strengthens the case for adopting a ‘nose first’ approach throughout the course of our day and indeed, during sleep. Below I have shortlisted 5 key functions of nasal breathing, with a particular focus on Summer: 


  1. Diaphragmatic Breathing – Nasal Breathing naturally engages our most powerful breathing muscle, the diaphragm.  Which allows us to breath deeply and more efficiently. Diaphragmatic activation also acts as a stimulus for our Parasympathetic nervous system or “Rest and Digest system” which regulates our heart rate and stress response. 


  1. Carbon Dioxide Regulation – Nasal breathing maintains a balanced ration of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in the bloodstream. And in turn aids Oxygen release to our body tissues (Bohr Effect) and blood flow to the brain through regulating CO2 levels. Overall leading to enhanced muscular and cognitive functioning. 

 

  1. Thermoregulation – The nose plays a pivotal role in the body’s ability to maintain its core temperature. The nasal passages contain blood vessels that help release heat from the body (A vital function for this heatwave!) whilst the increased blood flow to the skin through nasal breathing prevents overheating. 


  1. Combatting Allergic Rhinitis (Hayfever) – Hayfever affects 1 in 4 people in  the UK and can have a significant affect on many of our bodily systems. Nasal Breathing can mediate against the symptoms of hayfever by acting as a filter to trap the harmful allergens before entering the respiratory system. 


  1. Deeper Sleep- Nasal, diaphragmatic breathing exercises before bed can not only allow us fall asleep quicker but maintaining nasal breathing during sleep reduces the severity of snoring and sleep apnea. 

 

Contraindications of Nasal Breathing –  Mouth breathing is recommended when nasal passages are blocked for structural or allergic reasons and during intense exercise

Find more from Connor here

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