You go to bed, fall asleep and wake up the next morning with a dry mouth, a blocked nose or the feeling that you didn't sleep quite as well as you should have.

One possible reason is something many people don't think about: how you breathe while you're asleep.

While sleeping, some people naturally breathe through their mouths. For others, mouth breathing may happen because the nose feels blocked or breathing through the nose is more difficult.

What is mouth breathing?

Mouth breathing simply means breathing in and out through the mouth rather than primarily through the nose.

During the day, you may not even notice which route you're using. At night, however, your breathing pattern can become more noticeable, particularly if your nose is congested or you have difficulty breathing comfortably through your nasal passages.

Why might you breathe through your mouth at night?

There isn't one single reason why someone might mouth breathe during sleep.

Some common factors can include:

• Nasal congestion
• Seasonal allergies
• A blocked or stuffy nose
• Sleeping position
• Individual breathing habits
• Structural differences in the nasal passages

If mouth breathing happens frequently or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's worth discussing it with a qualified healthcare professional rather than simply treating it as a sleep habit.

Nasal breathing vs mouth breathing

Your nose plays an important role in breathing. The nasal passages help filter, warm and humidify the air you breathe.

Breathing through the nose can therefore be an important part of normal, comfortable respiration.

That doesn't mean mouth breathing is always a problem. There are situations where breathing through the mouth is necessary, which is why products designed to encourage nasal breathing aren't appropriate for everyone.

Where do nasal strips come in?

Nasal strips are designed to sit across the outside of the nose and gently lift the sides of the nasal passages.

The goal is simple: help improve the feeling of nasal airflow.

DND Air was created to make nasal strips an easy part of your nighttime routine.

What about mouth tape?

Mouth tape is designed to encourage the mouth to remain closed during sleep, which may encourage nasal breathing for suitable users.

It's important to understand that mouth tape isn't suitable for everyone.

You should be able to breathe comfortably through your nose before considering mouth tape. If you have difficulty breathing through your nose, certain respiratory conditions, significant nasal obstruction, or any situation where mouth breathing may be necessary, mouth tape may not be appropriate.

If you're unsure whether mouth tape is suitable for you, speak with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before using it.

Creating a better nighttime breathing routine

You don't need a complicated bedtime routine.

Start with the basics:

1. Give yourself time to wind down before bed.
2. Reduce unnecessary screen time.
3. Keep your bedroom comfortable and dark.
4. Pay attention to how you breathe at night.
5. Choose products that fit naturally into your routine.

The goal isn't to create another list of things you have to do. It's to create a simple ritual you can actually stick with.

Make DND part of your night

Better nights don't have to be complicated.

Switch off the notifications. Dim the lights. Slow down. Create a routine that tells your body the day is over.

Then let the rest wait until morning.