Recognize that how you breathe profoundly affects your health, bone density, and even subatomic levels; prioritize deliberate practice and attention to your breath as it’s more crucial than diet or exercise for overall well-being.
Consistently breathe through your nose instead of your mouth, as nasal breathing humidifies, pressurizes, filters, and conditions air, allowing for easier oxygen absorption in the lungs and protecting them from environmental allergens and pollutants.
Reduce your breathing rate to optimize oxygen absorption; breathing 6-12 times per minute allows air to reach deeper into the lungs, increasing oxygen utilization (up to 85% at 6 breaths/minute) compared to faster breathing, while also reducing heart burden and blood pressure.
To train yourself to breathe through your nose, especially during sleep, use a small piece of tape (about half the size of a postage stamp) across your lips to remind your jaw to stay shut, which can help open nasal passages and reduce snoring or sleep apnea.
Consciously practice slow breathing, aiming for 4 to 10 breaths per minute for a few minutes daily, as this range has been shown to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other conditions by transforming how the mind processes thoughts and emotions.
Start your day with a 5-minute practice of very slow, light breathing through your nose to improve focus for activities like meditation and increase oxygen efficiency.
Consider incorporating AG1, a daily health drink with five strains of gut bacteria and plant-based compounds, into your routine to support digestion and enrich your gut microbiome.