Modern problems of pollution, stress, obesity and sedentary lifestyles are also getting in the way of better breathing. “If you look at the few hundred hunter-gatherer tribes still left, you’ll find there’s zero asthma, zero allergies, zero hypertension and zero lung problems. But we have a culture where people are working 10 hours in an office every day under blue light, unable to move around and breathe – it’s a recipe for disaster.”

Bostock agrees. “Even without a global pandemic, we live in such a fast-paced, world which can often feel very challenging and overwhelming,” he says. “Consequently, reported levels of chronic stress, anxiety and illness are higher than they have ever been in recorded history. In that respect, I think breathwork can play a very big part in bringing more peace and balance to a sometimes chaotic world.”

Bostock says people suffering from chronic stress tend to engage in a chest or clavicular breathing pattern – telltale signs include the shoulders rising vertically and the chest puffing out when inhaling – which can lead to back and neck pain and extreme fatigue.

The 365 breathing technique

But correct, controlled breathing can help combat stress, sharpen your mind and keep your brain in tip top condition. One technique suggested by therapists is called ‘365’ wherein you breathe six cycles per minutes, inhaling for five seconds and exhaling for five seconds, at least three times a day, for five minutes at a time and then repeat for all 365 days of the year.

That said, better breathing isn’t going to fix all of your problems, just as regular exercise or eating well won’t. It is, however, one of the key components in ensuring you do live a longer life. “You can exercise all you want and go to the gym four hours a day, or eat vegan, paleo, keto or whatever,” says Nestor. “But if you are not breathing well you will never ever be healthy.”

Visit www.thebreathguy.com for more information on Richie Bostock and his coaching