3 Times to Shut Your Mouth

Do you know when to zip your lips?

In many situations, the wisest response is to keep your mouth shut. As the Dalai Lama said, “Silence is sometimes the best answer.”

But that’s not what I’m talking about.

When I say “shut your mouth,” I actually mean “keep it closed.” Literally. Obviously, there are lots of times when it’s good for your mouth to be open. For example:

• You get out of the pool, your nose clip is still on, and you need to breathe. Breathing is good.
• You need to put something in your mouth, like food. Food is good. (Of course, you then close your mouth and keep it closed until it’s empty and ready for more food. Right??)
• You need to spit something out of your mouth, like toothpaste. Spitting is… gross. (Hopefully, the general public doesn’t get to see your mouth open for this reason.)
• Sounds are coming out of your mouth because you are talking, singing, laughing, yelling, screaming while on a rollercoaster or being chased by a bear, etc.

There are lots of great reasons to open your mouth. But unless you’re wearing a nose clip or have some other nasal obstruction (common around here during ragweed season!), don’t open your mouth to breathe. Not only is mouth-breathing hard on your health (check out James…