The new coronavirus causing COVID-19 has led to over 1,700,000 illnesses and more than 100,000 deaths worldwide. As this flu-like virus sweeps the globe, people are still adjusting to strict guidelines urging them to avoid unnecessary travel, stay at home and stay 6 feet apart. However, the question still remains: how do we protect ourselves when a dangerous flu virus is suddenly active?
Since the novel coronavirus makes its way into your body through the throat and nose, the logical way of protecting yourself would be to close your mouth and breathe in less air-which is exactly what the Buteyko Breathing Method teaches us.
How Nasal Breathing Minimizes The Risk Of Being Infected
Your nose is a vital part of your respiratory system and it is also your primary defense against viruses. When you breathe through the nose, the microscopic hair in your nose not only trap potential pathogens but also stimulate Nitric Oxide (NO) that kills viruses and helps you breathe relatively less infectious air.
Nitric Oxide: A Natural Antiviral
Scientists have previously studied the antiviral mechanism of Nitric Oxide, indicating that in cases where facemasks fail, your nose naturally filters the dangerous pathogens from the air and minimizes the risk of infection. It’s a simple solution that you can start practicing right away!
Dr. Novozhilov, the Russian patent holder of the Buteyko Breathing method, further clarifies that the coronavirus is aerosolized, which means that it spreads through the infected droplets that originate when a sick person, sneezes, coughs or even speaks. These droplets can travel up to fifteen meters and penetrate the fibers of cloth or paper masks.
So, how do you avoid these infected areas during a flu pandemic? Your body has a way.
Viruses cannot survive on the mucous membrane of the nose because it creates a hostile environment for the viruses. So, when you breathe through the nose, your nose sterilizes the air entering your body and provides a natural shield.
Moreover, nasal breathing also humidifies and warms the air, and the NO produced allows oxygen and nutrients to travel to every part of your body, which is essential for overall health. Your nose has a lot of health benefits than you may realize!
Of course, it’s important to breathe through the nose constantly during the day and night, and even while speaking. A Buteyko Breathing specialist can teach how to practice gentle nasal breathing at all times.
Mouth breathing, on the other hand, creates a direct highway for the contaminated air to reach your air passages, without even filtering it. Since the air is over-cooled and unprepared for consumption, it actually breaks down the immune system and can lead to numerous respiratory problems.
Dr. K.P. Buteyko believed that mouth breathing causes hyperventilation, which weakens the body’s disease-fighting ability and is an underlying cause of respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis and even chronic tonsillitis in children.
Learn How To Breathe Less
The reason those who practice the Buteyko Breathing Method diligently aren’t affected by viruses is that it teaches you how to lessen your air intake. After all, taking in less air means taking in fewer viruses. The Buteyko Breathing Method is a natural, safe and drug-free tool that eliminates the threat of flu, so why not learn this age-old technique of optimal breathing?
