A person breathes about 20 to 25,000 times per day. For many athletes, breathing is very important. NBA stars Steph Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and MLB pitchers Logan Webb and Marcus Stroman use breathing to calm their minds and improve their performance.
Some people breathe through their mouth instead of their nose. This can cause sleep problems and make the body feel stressed. Harvey Martin, a former baseball player, had this problem. He found a breathing technique called the Wim Hof method, which helps him relax. He now teaches this method to other athletes.
There is science behind breathing techniques. When we breathe slowly, our lungs fill up with oxygen. This helps our brain feel calm and relaxed. Many athletes use breathing techniques to improve their performance. It's not just for athletes, anyone can use breathing techniques to feel better. Breathing techniques are not new, ancient Greeks and Chinese used them to relax and focus.
