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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
Though I'm a lifelong reader, there are few books that I can say truly changed my life in any substantive way. "Breath" will be added to the short list.
Why? Because I'm suddenly way more aware than I was, pre-reading, of how I tend to be breathing in any given moment, and understand that forming some more mindful habits in regard to my breathing could likely improve my health.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and I've been sleeping with a BiPAP machine ever since. While I don't necessarily expect that to change, this book made me realize that adopting the breathing habits I gravitate toward while doing short meditations or yoga sessions - which is say, inhaling through my nose – would, if more broadly applied, likely improve my airways and health more generally.
I was utterly fascinated by Nestor's explanations for how the introduction of agriculture (and moving away from hunter-gatherers societies) contributed to the shape of our skulls, and size of our airways, changing, and how we came to have so many dental problems when historically, human societies didn't deal with the same issues. I loved learning that our soft diets resulted in less chewing, and thus also weakened the role of our jaws and teeth. Great stuff.
In the end, I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because as I got to the later parts of the book - which isn't all that long - I struggled to keep pushing ahead, so it took me a while to finish. And I was hoping that at some point, Nestor might address the role mindful breathing often plays in childbirth. But even so, this was a super-meaningful, impactful book for me. I'll definitely be checking out Nestor's website and trying to adopt some of the breathing exercises discussed in the book. The evidence for the benefits of such practices seems overwhelmingly convincing.
Why? Because I'm suddenly way more aware than I was, pre-reading, of how I tend to be breathing in any given moment, and understand that forming some more mindful habits in regard to my breathing could likely improve my health.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and I've been sleeping with a BiPAP machine ever since. While I don't necessarily expect that to change, this book made me realize that adopting the breathing habits I gravitate toward while doing short meditations or yoga sessions - which is say, inhaling through my nose – would, if more broadly applied, likely improve my airways and health more generally.
I was utterly fascinated by Nestor's explanations for how the introduction of agriculture (and moving away from hunter-gatherers societies) contributed to the shape of our skulls, and size of our airways, changing, and how we came to have so many dental problems when historically, human societies didn't deal with the same issues. I loved learning that our soft diets resulted in less chewing, and thus also weakened the role of our jaws and teeth. Great stuff.
In the end, I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 because as I got to the later parts of the book - which isn't all that long - I struggled to keep pushing ahead, so it took me a while to finish. And I was hoping that at some point, Nestor might address the role mindful breathing often plays in childbirth. But even so, this was a super-meaningful, impactful book for me. I'll definitely be checking out Nestor's website and trying to adopt some of the breathing exercises discussed in the book. The evidence for the benefits of such practices seems overwhelmingly convincing.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
James Nestor’s Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art sets out to reintroduce readers to something we all do 25,000 times a day but rarely think about—breathing. Drawing from ancient wisdom, modern research, and personal experimentation, Nestor argues that the way we breathe profoundly shapes our health, mood, and well-being. The book champions nasal breathing over mouth breathing and offers accessible tips on how to reclaim this "lost art" for better physical and mental health.
What I Learned
One of the most impactful takeaways from Breath is the power of nasal breathing. Nestor emphasizes that our noses are not just passive passageways but active participants in our respiratory health. Nasal breathing:
- Filters, warms, and humidifies incoming air
- Promotes the production of nitric oxide, a crucial molecule that improves circulation, oxygen delivery, immune function, and even impacts mood, weight regulation, and sexual function
In contrast, mouth breathing is shown to contribute to a wide range of health problems, including:
- A higher risk of respiratory infections
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- Altered facial structure and poor dental health
- Decreased cognitive performance
The book encourages readers to pay conscious attention to how they breathe, even suggesting the use of sleep tape to maintain nasal breathing during the night. This was a practical, memorable piece of advice that seems simple yet potentially transformative.
What I Didn’t Like
Despite its valuable insights, Breath sometimes feels like it stretches too far. Reading it was a bit like being stuck in an elevator with soothing music—and having someone next to you explaining in excessive detail who composed the music, why, and what each note means. It’s informative, yes, but after a while, the tone becomes overly explanatory and even meandering.
Nestor is a journalist, not a medical expert, and while he does a commendable job synthesizing research, his enthusiastic embrace of fringe theories and pseudoscience detracts from the book’s credibility. The exploration of various breathing methods becomes repetitive, and the narrative occasionally loses steam under the weight of its own ambition. What starts as a fascinating investigation can, for some readers, feel tedious by the final chapters.
Final Thoughts
Breath is an intriguing book that successfully shines a spotlight on an overlooked aspect of human health. It’s a compelling reminder that something as basic as how we breathe can have wide-ranging effects on our lives. However, it may not satisfy readers looking for rigorous scientific depth or those wary of anecdote-heavy pseudoscience. If you’re curious about how to improve your breathing—and potentially your life—it’s worth a read. Just be prepared for the elevator ride to take a few detours.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
I can summarise this book very simply - Breath through your nose not your mouth with large and slow inhalations.
informative
medium-paced
Loved this look at the importance of breath! I’m inspired to explore more ways to use my breath for health, connection to my body, and a spiritual practice,
informative
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced