11/13/2025
Michelle's Minute
Correct Breathing?
Do you breathe wrong? Is that a thing? Yes! Take a deep breath, does your neck and or shoulders noticeably raise towards the ceiling? That is shallow breathing also known as chest breathing. We're made to be belly breathers (a few medical conditions cause us not to be/there are exceptions to every rule). We should inhale by expanding throughout our core- back, belly and sides, shoulders staying still. Diaphragmatic breathing, AKA belly breathing, is best checked by lying down with knees bent. Place a hand below your ribs and a hand on your upper chest. Breathe in through your nose, your belly should rise, there should be little to no movement on your chest. Ideally, your stomach muscles should tighten as you exhale getting the rest of the air out. This is the most beneficial breathing method helping you to relax, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, increasing oxygen in the blood and helping expel gas waste from your lungs.
There's more! Do you breathe through your nose or mouth? Nose breathing is best with many benefits, some of those are: the nose warms and moisturizes your breath, it cleans the air you breathe from dust, smoke, bacteria etc. sending debris to your throat. Breathing through your nose greatly increases nitric oxide production which enhances oxygen uptake and offers various health benefits. Mouth breathing is actually detrimental, it dries saliva which is crucial to oral health. Saliva protects tooth enamel, without saliva, sugar and acid sit on teeth longer, increasing bad breath, gingivitis, cavities and periodontal problems. Mouth breathing leads to various health issues especially in children. The upper jaw will narrow, the palate begins to arch and lower jaw recedes, which is what is referred to as long face syndrome. Mouth breathing may lead to improper teeth alignment requiring orthodontic intervention. It also reduces oxygen levels in the bloodstream, impairs brain function, and believed to contribute to sleep apnea and snoring. Being aware of correct breathing can only help you. This information was gathered from articles put out by the Cleveland Clinic. Breathe on!
