It's funny,
but you never really think much about breathing.
Until it is all you ever think about.
Tim Winton

Welcome to June.

If you are in my mailing list and have worked with me, then thinking about your breath is probably more than a passing fancy. You know that your breath affects your moods, nervous system and health. You might think about the pace and rate of your breath, intentionally and consciously slowing it down to induce a calmer, more regulated state. You may think about the depth of the breath, actively softening the belly to allow the diaphragm full range of movement.  Or maybe you consider your posture and ergonomics, recognizing that how you sit and work dramatically influences how you breathe. 

Yet, how often do you consider the quality of the air you breathe?

When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest from the East Coast, I was shocked to be wearing sweaters and jackets until the 4th of July. And for my first 20 years or so of living here, I don't recall commonly hearing the term "fire season" being used. This year concepts about the onset of summer and fire season have both been shattered as we have already encountered 80+° F days in May. And as those of you in Canada or even a bit east of me can attest, fires season has already been in full swing. 

Photo by Chris LeBoutillier

When people talk to me about breathwork, I find little attention paid to the quality of the air breathed. While breath pacing is a useful practice for self-regulation, if the air is toxic, the benefit of the entire practice is questionable. I find that people tend to spend more time focusing on the quality of the food or water ingested, but pay little heed to the quality of the air we breathe, until the smoke outside our window forces it to be  all we think about. If this is not reason enough to consider purchasing an air purifier, the fact that the quality of indoor air is often more toxic than the air outside your house definitely drives that consideration. 

According to several US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies, indoor pollution can be upwards of 2 - 5 times higher than outdoor pollution, and without proper ventilation, that can rapidly increase 100 fold. A two-year study involving over 10,000 participants done in 2001, showed that over 85% people spend their days in building (homes, workplaces, school classrooms, etc.), and while that data is over 20 years old, with the recent changes in work and school behavior brought on changes with the Covid pandemic, I can't help but wonder if that percentage hasn't increased as even more people find no reason to step outside their homes, let alone fail to open a window (provided the outside pollution index is low).  

As a naturopathic physician, biofeedback practitioner and breathworker, I believe the quality of the air you breathe must be considered before undertaking any breathwork practices. Sadly, I must admit, I often forget to ask people about the quality of their air, that is, until smoke and fires are forefront on everyone's mind. Over the past 3 months I have received a slew of inquires about my recommendation on home air purifiers,  so I thought I would share this information with everyone. Regardless of allergies, wildfires or pandemics, the elevated levels of air pollutants in our home, whether particulate material (PM2.5) organic volatile compounds (VOCs) from off gassing and products (including cleaning and beauty care products), carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, etc. is quite astounding and warrants air purification.

For anyone interested in learning more about Air Pollution & Health, you can watch my video on this topic here on The BreathSPACE School Page.

I have personally tried a most of the units I am recommending. Bigger and more expensive does not alway mean better - however, you want a system that has multiple filters to ensure removing as many pollutants as possible. You need to know the size of the room in which you are using one.  You do not need as powerful of a unit if the space dimensions are not as large.  I have 5 purifiers in my house - 1 in the bedroom, 1 in the living room, 1 in the family room/kitchen (always have a filter near the kitchen if cooking - one of the most toxic sources of indoor air pollutants), then 1 in my office downstairs (the entire downstairs space) and a small unit in my husband’s office. But you do not need to buy that many. You can buy one excellent system and move it from room to room - like using it in the living room or office all day, and then moving it to you bedroom at night. 

One important reminder - remember to change the filters.  If filters are left unchanged, overtime the benefit of air purification drops drastically.

Here are my top picks (please note, I receive no compensation from nor have any affiliations with these companies):

  • Conway - I have been using several of these units for years now and am thoroughly happy with them. This is one of the most highly rated units (recently selected by NYTimes Wirecutters as best affordable air purifier). I agree. I find this one of the most affordable filters for larger spaces. 

  • Winix 5500 - 2  - I have 2 of these units and am pleased with them as well. They are comparable  to the Conway, yet for those who care about sound quality, the Winix tends to be a bit more noisy.  

  • Levoit  - all of their products are good quality.  I used one in my private practice office for years, as well as in my bedroom.  Consider this for smaller offices.

  • Medify - if you are interested in investing a bit more, this system really terrific, great for small spaces and bedrooms.

  • Molekule - for those of you into aesthetics and easy transport, consider Molekule.  While I have never owned one of these at units, they remain highly rated by reputable sources. 

And last but not least, should you be willing to invest the money, consider:

  • Air Doctor - one of the best, but often cost prohibitive.

Finally....

While air purifiers can be life savers, let's not forget the air filter we are born with... the nose. Nasal breathing is vital to our health and wellbeing as it warms, moistens, and filters the air we breathe. If you have ever gone outside on a below freezing cold day and taken a breath in, you know what happens to the lungs the moment you take in that cold and dry air....it feels like your entire lungs are going to contract. The hairs lining the nose, along with the mucus, helps trap many irritants and pollutants before they make their way to the lungs. The same does not happen when we mouth breathe. Furthermore, breathing in and out through the nose slows down the rate of our inhale and exhale, and mildly stimulates the parasympathetic system (mildly), which is why many people feel more relaxed breathing this way. 

In my next newsletter, I will share ways for chronic mouth breathers to breathe through the nose more easily. It does take practice!