Teach Your Kids How to Breathe Properly
Have you ever taught your children how to breathe properly? Have you ever thought about the proper way to breathe? If you are like us, we didn’t learn about the proper way to breathe until we were 32, so hopefully we can help you teach your kids a lot sooner than that. The answer isn’t anything fancy or crazy, the proper way to breathe is through your nose. It’s that easy. Breathe through your nose as much as you possibly can. To get even more benefit, set your jaw up properly while you are breathing through your nose so your children have a better shot at having their jaws grow properly, and possibly avoid braces. Other than when you are eating and talking, try to keep your jaw in the same position. The way to maintain the best position is to have your tongue on the roof of your mouth, with your bottom teeth slightly toughing the inside of your upper teeth.
When I ask my kids what the best way to breathe is, they say, “through your nose.” When I ask them what to do when they aren’t eating or talking, they say, “keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth.”
Repetition and consistent messaging will allow your children to learn new concepts. Teach them these simple concepts that will help them live healthier. Check out the benefits below!
Step One of Breathing Trifecta: Breathe Through Your Nose
Timing: No extra time needed
Level of Difficulty: Easy–hard
Serving Size: A little every day will make a big difference
Spice Level: Depends on how long it’s been since your nose was in action!
INGREDIENTS
Just you and your nose
REASONING AND BENEFITS
Breathing through your nose has so many benefits for your body. Let’s talk about some of the heavy hitters.
Your nose will sterilize the air by removing germs, allergens, and bacteria (McKeown, 2015, p. 56).
Your airway will grow and stay wider because the tissues and muscles at the back of your throat will get stronger (Nestor, 2020, p. 27).
Your nose will limit the volume of air coming into the lungs, which will allow your body to take in more of that much needed oxygen. See Answer to #4 on page XX for more explanation on this (McKeown, 2015, p. 190).
Your nose will humidify the incoming air, stopping dry mouth and keeping more water in the body (Kahn & Ehrlich, 2018, p. 101).
Nitric oxide will be brought in, opening your airways and blood vessels (McKeown, 2015, p. 82).
The old adage use it or lose it applies to your nose. This is great because once you start using it again, your body will pick it up quickly and reawaken all of the sleeping muscles that haven’t been used while mouth breathing. Your mouth is a backup airway system. When your nose is obstructed, or you are working really hard, don’t worry – your mouth is still there to help your nose out!
INSTRUCTIONS
Try this out when you are working at your desk or watching TV at night. The more you breathe through your nose, the faster your body will get used to it and awaken the proper pathways for your body to use the incoming oxygen and outgoing carbon dioxide.
Close your mouth to take away the common reflex to breathe through your mouth.
Breathe through your nose
Notice the air entering your body and going down into your stomach.
Once comfortable, incorporate nose breathing into a walk. Try a morning walk to catch some early morning sun paired with some morning movement to set you up for the day.
PRO TIP: Not only will breathing through your nose be great for your body, but you will also become more aware of your breathing throughout the day. Being more aware of your breath may be the most important aspect of developing healthier breathing habits.
* Take moments throughout the day to focus on nasal breathing until you get used to the feeling.
** Don’t get discouraged; your airways will eventually open up with practice, and it will get easier!
*** Try to breathe right into your lower stomach when focusing on your nasal breathing.
