The Breath Reset: Training Your Metabolism One Breath at a Time
Dear Thermalist Member,
We often think of metabolism as something that happens in our muscles, in our mitochondria, or in the food we eat. But what if one of the simplest ways to influence your metabolism begins with something as ordinary as how you breathe?
Why breathing matters more than you think
You breathe around 20,000 times a day, and each breath influences your nervous system and energy balance. Most people breathe through the mouth without realizing it — especially when walking, exercising, or under stress.
But mouth breathing can disrupt your metabolic balance. It reduces carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the blood, which makes it harder for oxygen to be released from your red blood cells and delivered into your tissues — a mechanism known as the Bohr effect.
The metabolic science of nasal breathing
When you breathe through your nose, you retain more CO₂ — and that’s a good thing. This balance helps oxygen move efficiently into your cells, supporting energy production and fat metabolism.
Nasal breathing also stimulates nitric oxide production in your sinuses. Nitric oxide is a natural vasodilator — it widens your blood vessels, improves circulation, and enhances oxygen distribution throughout the body.
This is why people who regularly practice nasal breathing often report:
Greater calm and focus during stress.
Better endurance during exercise.
Improved recovery and sleep quality.
Breathing as metabolic training
Think of nasal breathing as a form of metabolic exercise. It gently trains your tolerance to CO₂, which helps regulate your nervous system. Over time, your body adapts — just like it does to cold exposure or heat therapy.
Here’s how to begin:
Start when you walk. Try keeping your mouth closed and breathe slowly through your nose.
Progress to light exercise. See how long you can sustain nasal breathing during a workout before you need to open your mouth.
Notice the calm. Your heart rate may slow, your breathing deepens, and your focus sharpens. These are signs of a more regulated nervous system — and a more resilient metabolism.
Thermalist Method at Home Course
Cold, heat, light, and breath — these are the natural regulators of our biology. Learning to use them consciously gives you access to your own internal balance system.
Breathing is the quietest of these tools — but perhaps the most powerful.
If you’d like to explore more of the science behind how simple habits reshape your metabolism, I’ll share 4 ways to decrease stress with your breathing > HERE
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Dr. Susanna Søberg
PhD in Metabolism | Founder of the Thermalist Method®