The Effect Of Exhaling Through Your Nose versus Breathing Out Through Your Mouth on Your Body

Breathing is an instinctive act that holds significant power and can impact various aspects of our well-being such as stress management, core strength, and digestion. Have you ever pondered if the way we exhale, through our nose or mouth, has different effects on our bodies overall and during physical activity? In short, it definitely does. So, what changes occur in your body when you breathe out through your nose versus your mouth? These nuances are explained by two experts below.

Ally Maz, a guided meditation instructor for Open, highlights that the nose serves more than 30 functions, including air filtration, humidification, and temperature regulation during breathing. Another perspective is provided by Jessica Phillips, a meditation expert and mindfulness coach at P.volve, who emphasizes existing research on the advantages of nose breathing. She states, “Our bodies are designed for breathing through the nose (not eating through it)!”

Maz elaborates, “Scientifically, nose breathing is considered the healthiest way to breathe on a daily basis. It aids in slowing down our breathing rate, transitioning us from the ‘fight or flight’ stress mode to the ‘rest and digest’ state of the parasympathetic nervous system.” Phillips further underscores that nasal breathing facilitates deeper and fuller breaths, promoting increased oxygen circulation throughout the body and activating calming receptors linked to the body-mind equilibrium.

Both experts recommend prioritizing nose breathing whenever feasible, with Maz even suggesting the use of mouth taping during sleep to train oneself to breathe through the nose. It’s worth noting that mouth breathing still has its place. “In Open’s Active Breathwork sessions, we employ mouth breathing in a controlled manner to shift brain activity dominantly, fostering enhanced states of relaxation, clarity, and mindfulness,” explains Maz. Additionally, breathing out through the mouth can aid in regulating body temperature.

In conclusion, Maz summarizes, “Remember: nose for tranquility and mouth for brief, controlled breaths to achieve cathartic, profound release.”