We mostly breathe subconsciously, but columnist Helen Thomson finds evidence that the brain functions differently when inhaling or exhaling, or breathing through your nose or mouth.

When my kids get nervous or are having a meltdown, I instinctively tell them to take a deep breath. It’s a reflex that I know innately feels good during a moment of panic or before a big presentation. But new evidence suggests breathing does more than just oxygenate the body – it fundamentally changes our brain, decreasing anxiety, sharpening our senses and enhancing our ability to perform. Those breakthroughs have left me wondering: could I improve my day, just by using my breath better?