Why Should I breathe through my nose when I sing?

Close your mouth, take a deep breath….

In singing lessons, we advise as often as possible that singers try to breathe through the nose when possible so I figured it was time to give a more detailed breakdown as to why it is helpful. For anyone that is more deeply interested in the subject of breath, I recommend checking out the book, BREATH by James Nestor. I finished this book recently per multiple recommendations and highly encourage anyone reading this blog to become more conscious of how you breathe! Nestor participates in studies with full mouth-breathing, full nasal only breathing and experiences first hand the benefits of breathing through your nose amongst MANY other fascinating breathing techniques.

In performance, most singers use a combination of nasal and mouth breathing. Nose breathing is great in practice, between phrases when you have time, or for maintaining vocal health. Mouth breathing is sometimes necessary onstage for quick breaths before the next line. All that to say, here are some Cliffs notes, singer’s edition on the benefits of breathing through your nose as a singer:

#1-Engagement of the Diaphragm

Nose inhalation slows the breath slightly, encouraging deeper breathing and more engagement of the diaphragm, rather than just filling the chest. Diaphragmatic support is vitally important for long term vocal health so that you can sing for extended periods of time. If you find yourself often losing your voice, focusing on nasal breath might be hard at first but super helpful in correcting a basic support issue.

#2- Relaxation & Focus

Breathing through the nose can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces tension and calms performance nerves. Without fail, everytime I encourage someone to slow down their inhales and breathe into phrases, the immediate tonal difference is almost shocking at times due to the noticeable difference in ease. Pick songs that have more space between lines to practice this technique.

#3- Filtration & Air Quality

The nose filters out dust, allergens, and other particles before air enters your lungs. It also warms and humidifies the air, which keeps your vocal folds hydrated and less prone to irritation.

#4- Controlled, Silent Inhalation

Nose breathing tends to be quieter than mouth breathing, which helps prevent audible “gasps” between phrases. Breathing quietly is a technique we work on all the time in classes because often times students do not notice how winded they sound (and with that said- record yourself and you’re more likely to notice these things and correct them!). If you’re already recording and releasing music, be sure to look for that winded sound. Audible gasps can be really emotionally effective but when we pile on too much we just sound out of breath.

#5 Hydration & Vocal Health

Mouth breathing dries out the throat and vocal folds more quickly. Nose breathing helps maintain moisture, which is crucial for smooth vocal tone.

Benefits of Breathing Through Your Nose (Outside of Singing)

The benefits of nasal breathing extend far beyond singing. Breathing through your nose is how the body is naturally designed to function most efficiently. Here are some extra reasons on top of what has already been mentioned as to why it helps people in general:

#6- Promotes Efficient Oxygen Uptake
Nasal breathing increases the production of nitric oxide — a gas that helps dilate blood vessels and improve oxygen delivery throughout the body.

#7 Supports Better Sleep
Nasal breathing can reduce snoring, sleep apnea symptoms, and nighttime mouth dryness. It’s also linked to deeper, more restorative sleep. This is all covered much further in Nestor’s book.

#8 Supports Dental and Facial Health
Mouth breathing, especially in children, is linked to changes in facial structure, poor oral health, and misaligned teeth. Nasal breathing promotes proper tongue posture and jaw development. Check out THIS STUDY

When Might Mouth Breathing Be Necessary?

In some situations — like during intense exercise or if you’re congested — mouth breathing might be temporarily necessary. But for everyday activities and rest, nasal breathing is generally superior.

Are you ready to work on your breath? Here are some practical exercises to help you train nasal breathing throughout your day, during sleep, and even during physical activity:

🧘 1. Nasal Awareness Breathing (Beginner)

Goal: Build awareness of nasal breathing and slow down your breath.

How to do it:

• Sit comfortably or lie down.

• Close your mouth gently.

• Inhale and exhale only through your nose.

• Count the length of your inhales and exhales. Aim for:

  • Inhale: 4–5 seconds

  • Exhale: 5–6 seconds

• Breathe low into your belly (diaphragm), not your chest.

• Do for 5–10 minutes daily.

Tip: Place a hand on your chest and one on your belly. The belly should rise and fall more than the chest.

🏃‍♂️ 2. Nasal Breathing While Walking or Exercising

Goal: Improve your body’s tolerance to nasal breathing during movement.

How to do it:

• Take a brisk walk and breathe only through your nose.

• If that feels too difficult, slow down your pace.

• Gradually increase intensity while keeping your mouth closed.

• With time, try nasal breathing during light jogs or workouts.

Tip: You might feel a slight air hunger at first — that’s okay. Your body is adjusting to more efficient CO₂ and oxygen exchange.

💤 3. Nasal Breathing for Sleep

Goal: Reduce mouth breathing during sleep for better rest and recovery.

How to do it:

• Practice nasal breathing during the day.

• Clear nasal passages before bed (saline spray, neti pot, or steam).

• Sleep on your side or elevate your head slightly.

• Optional: Use mouth tape (like SomniFix or Micropore tape) to gently encourage nose breathing during sleep.

Important: Don’t try mouth taping if you’re congested or have serious breathing issues. Consult a professional first.

🌬️ 4. Breath Holds for Tolerance Training

Goal: Improve carbon dioxide tolerance and train calm breathing patterns.

How to do it:

• Inhale through your nose.

• Exhale gently through your nose.

• After the exhale, hold your breath.

• Count how many seconds until you feel the first clear urge to breathe.

• Then inhale gently through your nose and resume breathing normally.

• Repeat 3–5 times.

This is known as the Bolt Score in the Buteyko Method — a useful way to track progress.

🧠 5. Box Breathing (Focus & Calm)

Goal: Promote relaxation and reinforce nasal control.

How to do it:

• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds

• Hold your breath for 4 seconds

• Exhale through your nose for 4 seconds

• Hold your breath out for 4 seconds

• Repeat for 4–5 minutes

Great before stressful events or to help calm anxiety.