Breathing for winter wellness: The Lung Mechanic
We all know breathing is necessary for survival, but not so well known is that when done correctly, the breath supports our immune system.
We eat and talk through the mouth, but because we breathe and smell through the nose, nasal breathing is our first line of immune defence.
“The structures of the nose warm, filter, and moisten the air to prepare it for the lungs,” Catherine George of The Lung Mechanic explains.
“In addition, we produce nitric oxide in our paranasal sinuses, which is a powerful antimicrobial that also helps open our blood vessels and breathing tubes, ensuring better oxygenation, a drop in blood pressure and cleaner air being inhaled.”
Nose breathing also helps us exercise our diaphragm more (belly breathing), which reduces our stress response.
“Mouth/chest breathing triggers the stress response – a major cause of suppression of the immune system – whereas nose/diaphragm breathing, at 8-12 breaths per minute, calms and improves our immune system.”
For asthmatics, those suffering shortness of breath, or anyone with nose/diaphragm breathing issues and who have been checked out for other causes by their doctor, Catherine recommends a breathing pattern assessment.
“A few simple alterations in the way you breathe can be life changing.”
