## 💤 Mouth Tape 101 Mouth taping is a simple practice with surprising benefits: you place a gentle adhesive tape over your lips before sleep to encourage **nasal breathing** throughout the night. --- ### ✅ **Benefits of Nasal Breathing** - **Better Oxygen Exchange** Nasal breathing increases nitric oxide production, which improves oxygen delivery and blood flow. - **Improved Sleep Quality** Reduces snoring, sleep apnea symptoms, and night waking. - **Enhanced Recovery & Energy** Promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation (rest/digest mode), especially critical for athletes and overachievers. - **Oral Health Boost** Less dry mouth, fewer cavities, reduced bad breath. --- ### ⚠️ **When NOT to Use It** - If you're sick and can't breathe through your nose - If you have untreated severe sleep apnea - If you panic when mouth is restricted - Children under 5 (unless directed by a doctor) --- ### 🛠️ **How to Use Mouth Tape** 1. **Pick the right tape** Use gentle, skin-safe strips like: - 🩹 _3M Micropore_ - 💬 _Hostage Tape_ - 💧 _SomniFix_ - 🕳️ Even a thin strip cut from medical tape (center-slit for airflow) 2. **Apply before bed** Place a strip vertically (or horizontally if using airflow vented tape). Make sure lips are sealed but not forced shut. 3. **Test during the day** Try for 10–20 mins while relaxing or reading to get used to the sensation. 4. **Remove slowly in the morning** Hydrate and enjoy that deep-sleep feeling 😴 --- ### 🔄 **Nasal Breathing = Nervous System Upgrade** Mouth taping is less about the tape… and more about _reminding your body to breathe how it was designed to_. --- ### 🔗 Recommended - [James Nestor – _Breath_ (book)](https://www.amazon.com/Breath-New-Science-Lost-Art/dp/0735213615) - Patrick McKeown – _The Oxygen Advantage_ - Huberman Lab: Sleep Toolkit --- Want to supercharge your recovery and focus? Try mouth taping for one week. You’ll know.