Do you breathe from your nose or from your mouth? The person may need some time to answer this question; Breathing is automatic, and we don’t mind it, but - according to experts - the method of breathing plays a role in the strength of individuals' immune system.
At this time, with the spread of the emerging coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, it became necessary to work to strengthen immunity by all possible means, such as sports and proper nutrition, as well as proper breathing.
Breathing supplies the body with the oxygen it needs to function properly, and proper breathing strengthens blood circulation, and oral breathing becomes necessary only when the nose is blocked by a cold - for example - and breathing from the mouth continuously is not recommended by experts.
Brian McKenzie, an American health expert, says, according to Deutsche Welle, on websites: "The nose is the first line of defense for the immune system". Small hairs in the nose act as filters for dust, bacteria and viruses, he says.
In addition, the mucus layer in the nose plays an important role, as various pathogens are attached to it, and the body gets rid of it through sneezing or cold.
There is no defensive mechanism in the mouth, Mackenzie says, because people who breathe constantly from their mouth are affected by the common cold. So proper breathing from the nose helps the immune system do its job.
The right breathing technique
According to Deutsche Welle, the American Society of Lung Diseases, the proper breathing process must start from the nose and then slowly move to the abdomen and the diaphragm muscle shrinks, which gives space for air to enter the lungs.
McKenzie is advised to focus on the breathing process throughout the day to avoid breathing involuntarily through the mouth, and adds that it only needs training and then it will become automatic.
Correct breathing exercises
There are some exercises for those who want to learn the correct breathing method, including lying on the back with the knees bent by placing a pillow under them. Then one hand should be placed above the chest and the other hand under the rib cage. After that, breathing begins slowly from the nose until the person feels his stomach is expanding under his hand, while the upper chest should remain without movement as much as possible.
Then the exhalation phase comes by shrinking the abdominal muscles and extracting air from the mouth with the lip lips (like the wax extinction method). Over time, this exercise can be carried out in a sitting position.