To Inspire:

I just finished reading Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, the New York Times best seller by James Nestor. In it he shares his healing journey of discovery regarding the power of correct breathing. Nestor fills the book with insights from leading scientists and everyday practitioners as well as the breathing practices of tribes and cultures all through history. I found it absolutely fascinating and thought I would share some key takeaways in this and next week’s WealthNotes:

• Nasal Breathing versus mouth breathing – inhaling and exhaling through the nose has significant benefits over mouth breathing, as it filters, warms, and humidifies the air, optimizes oxygen exchange, and stimulates nitric oxide production, improving blood flow and strengthening the immune system. He even recommends mouth taping while sleeping to train your body to breathe through your nose.
• Slow Breathing versus fast – slow down both your inhaling and exhaling. Nestor shares the results of numerous studies that suggest that under normal circumstances, one’s inhale should take 5.5 seconds and one’s exhale should also take 5.5 seconds. No pause in between. Picture your breath as a circle – the right half is the inhale and the left half is the exhale. This slower form of breathing helps expel toxins, optimize lung capacity and has a calming effect on the nervous system.
• Breathe from the abdomen up into the chest – slow measured inhaling that begins deep in the abdomen and then extends upward through the diaphragm and chest is most effective – exhale in the same manner.
• Chewing Impacts Breathing – with the industrial and agricultural revolutions has come softer foods and less chewing, all to the detriment of our facial and dental structures. The result is smaller mouths, crowded teeth and blocked airways. Find healthy chewing gum and begin using it. Chew your food thoroughly. And look for harder foods that require more difficult chewing. Adopting these practices will slowly change and improve your facial structure in ways that enhance breathing.

Start with these practices and next week I’ll share some more insights from the book. Happy Breathing!!

Written by Matt Palmer, Partner & Co-Founder