Few of us ever really consider our noses, but the nasal cavities work like our very own personal air conditioning system, controlling temperature and blood pressure, feeding our brain with chemicals which influence our emotions and moods and even our sleep.
The right nostril acts like an accelerator pedal. When you inhale primarily through this channel you will put your body on alert and heat it up. So if you want to feel energised and switched on for something which requires you to be attentive, then inhaling through only your right nostril will help you feel revved up and ready. Useful before an important meeting or presentation.
Inhaling through your left nostril has the opposite effect – this acts like our brake pedal in contrast to the right nostril’s accelerator, being more connected with our rest and relaxation side that reduces anxiety. Left nostril breathing lowers temperature and blood pressure, so would be a useful activity to help
calm yourself down.
Breathing selectively through either nostril gently and deeply for few seconds can restore balance and ease in the mind and body.
Source: Breath - The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
