NYT Best-Selling Author, James Nestor

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Breathe Better, Live Better with NYT Best-Selling Author, James Nestor

James Nestor is an acclaimed author and journalist who has written for Scientific American, Outside, and The New York Times. His latest book, Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, explores how humans have lost the ability to breathe properly and how to regain it, becoming an instant bestseller with over 2.5 million copies sold.

In today’s episode, we’re unpacking some of the game-changing insights from Breath. James talks about the powerful connection between our breathing patterns and overall health, shedding light on how modern diets and industrialized foods have impacted our respiratory health and even shaped our faces. We also dive into practical, actionable tips to help improve breathing habits, especially in our little ones.

James shares simple strategies for better sleep like mouth tape, breathwork techniques for stress management, and how to optimize breathing during exercise. He also talks about the dangers of email apnea, the role of posture in breathing properly, and reveals the new science on the benefits of nasal breathing over mouth breathing.

I’m really excited about this episode, and I hope it encourages you to be more mindful of your breath and take steps to improve your overall health!

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Show Notes

 

(00:00:39) Why We’ve Lost the Ability to Breathe Properly

  • James’ respiratory health issues and how the breath relates to chronic health conditions
  • Why humans today are the worst breathers
  • What it looks like when people are breathing properly and improperly
  • Benefits of nasal breathing
  • Why we don’t automatically breathe through our nose 

(00:11:47) The Impact of Industrialized Foods on Our Face Shape & Respiratory Health

  • The impact of industrialized foods on the shape of human faces
  • What you can do to fundamentally change your kids face, teeth and palate
  • How to chew properly and keep teeth in alignment
  • Advice for helping picky eaters ingest more crunchy foods to support airway development

(00:21:25) Sleep Solutions: How to Create Better Breathing Habits for You & Your Kids

  • Exploring the cause of frequent night sleep disruptions 
  • Signs of sleep disordered breathing
  • How to get over congestion and the impact of allergies on breath
  • Will tonsillectomies fix breathing issues?
  • How to create proper breathing habits
  • How to encourage your kids to get comfortable with mouth tape

(00:38:11) Benefits of Nasal Breathing for Stress Relief, Reducing Anxiety & Exercise

  • Breathwork techniques for relieving stress and anxiety
  • Why nasal breathing is better during a workout and techniques athletes use
  • Chemical reasons why nasal breathing is more beneficial while jogging or walking
  • Why nose breathing increases nitric oxide and why that’s important

(00:47:56) Posture for Better Breath & The Science Behind Nasal Breathing

  • How posture impacts breathing
  • Explaining email apnea and why it’s dangerous for your health
  • Kelly’s perspective and takeaways after using mouth tape for 9 months
  • The benefit of using mouth tape while you travel
  • The new Stanford study on the difference between mouth and nasal breathing 

* Content from this podcast is provided for information and education purposes only, and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. The use of information from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. Always speak with your healthcare professional before taking any medication, nutritional or herbal supplement. 


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