“You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” - John C Maxwell
Why are we so good at brushing our teeth?
Maybe because it is part of our daily habit? Something we do every day, multiple times, without giving it much thought. At the root of this habit is the education we received years ago, no?
And by now, you’ve seen the studies that link increased lifespan and better health to brushing and flossing regularly.
But breathing better is linked to even greater health benefits.
When you breathe consciously, and make a habit of it, the physical, mental, and emotional benefits are just as important (if not more so) than those we receive from brushing and flossing.
- Does brushing your teeth lower blood pressure?
- Does brushing or flossing lower cortisol levels or slow down your heart rate?
- Can brushing your teeth lower anxiety and reduce stress?
Maybe, if you are really into your oral health or happen to be a dentist.
But breathing better is directly linked to these benefits and so much more.
When you extend one exhale, you tell your body to chill out and increase peace of mind and begin to experience these benefits.
So why don’t we breathe consciously more often?
We don’t even talk about the benefits of better breathing, let alone the simple techniques we can use to breathe better.
Again, it all comes down to education.
What if we were taught about our breath in the same way we were taught to brush our teeth?
Try this: breathe while you brush.
Connecting your breathing routine to an existing routine (say, brushing your teeth), will help you attach this new routine to your day.
When you brush your teeth, try the Coherent Breathing technique.
- Inhale through the nose for 6 seconds
- Exhale through the nose for 6 seconds
- Inhale through the nose for 6 seconds
- Exhale through the nose for 6 seconds
Do this for the two minutes you are brushing your teeth, and you are practicing Coherent Breathing.
Learn more about how coherent breathing improves heart health.