
Nose Know-How: Why Your Breathing Switches Between Nostrils All Day
You naturally breathe through one nostril at a time due to the nasal cycle, a process likely regulated by the brain’s hypothalamus that can switch every couple of hours when you’re awake and less often when you sleep. The cycle alternates congestion and decongestion between nostrils to protect and repair the nasal lining, warm and moisten air, and help guard against pathogens. Right-nostril dominance has been linked to increased alertness, while left-dominance is associated with relaxation. Factors like colds, allergies, polyps, a deviated septum, medications, or lying down can disrupt the cycle. If one nostril remains blocked for more than a couple of weeks, see a healthcare professional.






