“Breathing control improves concentration and learning”

But when do we start breathe through your mouth and what does this change mean? According to Eduardo Anitua, an international specialist in regenerative medicine, the problem arises when children suffer their first cold: “A nasal obstruction can cause them to start breathing through their mouth. If this situation is not corrected, the habit of breathing through the mouth may consolidate and become a chronic complicationwith long-term consequences.

If parents were more aware that oral breathing promotes colds, would they take this issue more seriously?

Most parents lack knowledge in this area. The habits that children learn can affect their health and future development. Therefore, it is very important for parents to pay attention to the way their children breathe for their skeletal development but also for their cognitive development.

Why is it so important to know how to breathe well? What exactly does it consist of?

It is an automatic act and essential to life. It’s not just about getting air into the body. This means that air reaches the lungs after passing through the nose, which is the body’s physiological filter. Ideally, inhaling and exhaling should always be done through the nose. Only in situations of physical exertion can oral breathing appear.

At what point in childhood development does this habit “go wrong”?

The most common is that it is affected by a cold or nasal obstruction. The important thing is to learn to keep your nose clear. There are inhalers that can facilitate this function. If this is not corrected, there is a risk that the child will develop the habit of breathing through the mouth. It must be detected and corrected as soon as possible.

He has repeatedly assured that breathing can be trained… and it’s free! Why don’t we try harder?

What is free is not valued, but in this case we are talking about something essential to life. Controlling breathing allows us, to a large extent, to regulate the functioning of our brain, acting as a natural regulator of thoughts and even emotions. This should be a basic practice from childhood.

He assures that there is scientific evidence that if we teach children to breathe well, their attentional neural networks increase and their learning ability improves.

In fact, we formed a Spanish research team led by Gustavo García Diez and Nazareth Castellanos and we demonstrated that slowing down and controlling breathing has a direct impact on the brain. It reduces the activity of so-called default neural networks – this “mental noise” – and activates attentional networks, which promotes concentration and learning capacity. This is why we claim, with scientific evidence, that breath control improves both attention and concentration.

In addition, it provides better brain control, a feeling of balance and calm, essential not only for daily well-being, but also for coping with stressful situations and making better decisions.

Does the way you breathe affect character and behavior?

Certainly! By controlling our breathing, we gain the ability to regulate our emotions.

Where can we learn?

Lots of information is available. I have published videos on YouTube that help you understand the physiology of breathing and how to practice it better.

What advice do you give to parents so that their children can breathe better?

First, promote breastfeeding with active suction. This effort not only ensures correct nutrition, but it also stimulates the development of their cranial and nasal breathing. Second, observe daily breathing, you should pay attention to whether the child breathes through the nose or through the mouth, especially after a cold or allergies. If oral breathing persists, it should be corrected as soon as possible. Third, encourage healthy habits. As they grow, teach them to breathe through their noses during play, rest, and daily activities.

And fourth, eat slowly, mindfully, thus promoting the correct formation of the bolus, improving digestion and enjoying the food more.