7 Days to Functional Breathing

Day 2 / 7

Measure Your Breathing with the BOLT

A comfortable breath hold that gives you a simple number to track as your breathing changes.

  • Video lesson with Patrick McKeown
  • 6–10 minutes

Today's practice

Take your BOLT tomorrow morning, soon after you wake. Breathe out normally through your nose, pinch your nose and start a timer. Stop at the first clear urge to breathe, and write the number down.

Key points

  • BOLT measures how quickly you feel the first clear urge to breathe during a comfortable breath hold.
  • Your score is influenced by your body chemistry, your breathing pattern and how you respond to the sensation.
  • It isn't a test of how long you can hold your breath. Your breathing should feel calm when you start again.

Safety note: If you have a medical condition or are pregnant, check with your doctor before doing breath holds.

Next lesson

Day 3 arrives in your inbox tomorrow

Tomorrow: why nasal breathing comes first.

Look out for it in your inbox

Go further today

Track your BOLT in the app

Log your morning BOLT and practise with guided exercises in the Oxygen Advantage app.

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