Close Your Mouth

After being reminded of the importance of breathing through your nose all the time, I decided to tape my mouth closed while sleeping. 

It took several nights to establish the right medical tape and the kindest way to use it without ripping my lips off in the morning. 

(If you do try it, just a warning: the glue becomes more sticky as it’s heated on your skin. Coat your lips with lip balm and stick the tape on the back of your hand a few times before placing it on your mouth.)

The health benefits of nasal breathing are extensive. I now wake up feeling refreshed as I have had a deep sleep with the added bonus of not waking through the night to drink water.

When was the last time you chose to ‘close your mouth’? Intentionally choosing to close off the demands around you, drawing inward – while allowing the natural flow of systems quietly in the background. 

Explore this exercise:

Set a reminder on your phone for a few times per day

Take a moment

Gently close your eyes

Allow yourself to feel your entire body

Become aware of your breathing

Become aware of your emotions

Become aware of your energy levels

Become aware of your tiredness

Become aware of your hunger levels

Become aware of tension in your body

Feel your entire body again and allow whatever is happening to register without judgement

Checking in with yourself, your body (the only place you will ever live) and what you are experiencing fully in that moment will give you the power to be fully present.

This moment, is all you ever have. Wherever you are, are you all there?