Practice Yoga
While it may seem counterintuitive to use a practice that focuses on intentional breathing to treat a condition characterized by interrupted breathing, yoga can be very beneficial for those with sleep apnea. Yoga can help strengthen the muscles in the throat and jaw, which can help prevent airway collapse during sleep. In addition, yoga can improve overall lung function and capacity, which can also prevent interrupted breathing during sleep.
Yoga is especially helpful for those with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. One study found that after 12 weeks of practicing yoga nightly, participants had significant reductions in their apnea-hypopnea index scores (AHI), a measure of the severity of sleep apnea. They also significantly improved their quality-of-life scores due to reductions in daytime fatigue and insomnia symptoms.
Individuals struggling with sleep apnea should consider adding yoga to their routine. While it may not be a cure-all, it could improve an individual’s quality of life. And even if it doesn’t help with sleep apnea, people can still reap all the other benefits of a regular yoga practice.
