The tides seem to be turning, the rate of infection is dropping – and perhaps we can see a light at the end of this omicron tunnel.
While I find myself relaxing my guard a bit, I am still focused on supporting and maintaining a strong immune system – for both myself and my clients.
Keeping the immune system strong is important for both preventing and recovering from Covid and all the other fun viruses circulating this season.
So before we relax and take a proverbial deep breath – I want to focus on how to take that breath because apparently how you breathe matters and can make the difference between achieving or regaining vital health and dragging the lingering effects of a cold or flu.
While breathing is of course natural – many people don’t breathe properly.
Breathing is meant to be done through the nose, with your mouth shut.
Nose breathing is essential because the nose is designed to warm and filter the air we breathe, allowing the hairs and mucus inside the nose to trap unwanted invaders.
Nose breathing (as opposed to mouth breathing) allows your lungs to absorb a larger amount of oxygen from the air
And nose breathing produces a boost in nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is a chemical that produces many health benefits. But I want to focus here on it’s connection to respiratory health.
.Nitric oxide is known to be broadly antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. Sounds good so far.
Researchers suggest that nitric oxide in the nasal airways could be a first line of defense against communicable infections.
Research during SARS showed that nitric oxide showed an inhibitory effect on virus replication. Inhaled nitric oxide was even used as part of COVID critical care in some US hospitals.
So nitric oxide, produced in the nasal cavity can boost your respiratory health and be part of the first line of defense against viruses.
How do you boost your nitric oxide?
By breathing through your nose – with your mouth shut!
Conversely, mouth or impaired nose breathing leads to poor air circulation and lower levels of nitric oxide in your nose and sinuses. This creates an environment that is primed for bacterial growth and inflammation – allowing you to develop congestion and possibly even sinusitis.
I highly recommend checking out this page to explore nasal breathing exercises and learn how to unblock a chronically congested nose. (If you snore – this page is a must)
There is another way to boost your nitric oxide that is surprising and cool – I’ll share that with you in my next blog.
Until then – give your immune and respiratory systems a boost: practice breathing through your nose!
