DeepSummary
In this episode, former Microsoft executive Linda Stone discusses her discovery of "screen apnea," a phenomenon where people hold their breath or breathe shallowly while using digital devices like computers and phones. Stone conducted informal research by observing people's breathing patterns while using screens and found most exhibited disturbed breathing habits. She coined the term "screen apnea" to describe this.
James Nestor, author of the book "Breath," is also interviewed. He explains the negative health consequences of poor breathing habits, including increased risk of chronic diseases like asthma, anxiety, heart disease, and diabetes. Nestor emphasizes the importance of nasal breathing, engaging the diaphragm, and maintaining a relaxed posture for optimal breath.
Both Stone and Nestor offer practical tips for improving breathing habits during screen time. Stone tried activities like playing an instrument and ballroom dancing to stay embodied. Nestor guides listeners through a simple reset breathing exercise to practice abdominal breathing and describes techniques for monitoring breath quality.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Using digital devices like computers and phones often leads to unhealthy breathing patterns like holding one's breath or shallow chest breathing.
- Poor breathing habits have serious negative impacts on physical and mental health, including increasing risk of chronic diseases.
- Optimal breathing involves slow, deep breaths through the nose while engaging the diaphragm and abdomen.
- Retraining breathing patterns during screen time is important for mitigating the effects of "screen apnea."
- Simple exercises like focused abdominal breathing can help reset dysfunctional breathing habits.
- Staying embodied and present through activities like playing an instrument or dancing can improve breathing while using devices.
- Heart rate variability monitoring can provide feedback on breathing quality and stress levels.
- Developing healthy unconscious breathing habits takes practice but can significantly improve well-being.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The body becomes acidic, the kidneys begin to reabsorb sodium, and as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitric oxide balance are undermined, our whole biochemistry is thrown off.“ by Linda Stone
- “Poor breathing is what you see when you look at around 90% of the population. It includes breathing through the mouth, it includes breathing up into the chest, it includes unconsciously holding your breath, breathing too much, snoring, sleep apnea, asthma, on and on and on.“ by James Nestor
- “Once you establish it, you don't have to think about it. And once you don't have to think about it, you start to notice that you're feeling different.“ by James Nestor
- “I would have them do email, and I would have them do web browsing randomly and also web browsing around specific assignments that I gave them. And I think it's important to tell you that almost always I gave them cookies or some kind of dessert afterwards.“ by Linda Stone
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Episode Information
Life Kit
NPR
6/29/24
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