Mouth Taping: The Art of Looking Ridiculous While Breathing Like a Pro 🤐

It’s late at night, the world is quiet, and I’m getting ready for bed. The lights are dim, my skincare is glowing (thank you to my personal esthetician AKA the best sister a gal could ask for!), and then… I pull out the tape. Not the kind for wrapping presents or fixing broken glasses—no, this tape has a higher calling. MOUTH. TAPE.

Yes, you read that right. I tape my mouth shut before bed. Go ahead, laugh. It’s funny… until you’re addicted.

My mom was visiting at the beginning of the year when she was met with what looked like something out of a low-budget horror film. I carefully applied a strip of tape across my lips and walked to my room, ready to knock out. I climbed into bed and when my poor mother turned over to say goodnight to her precious daughter, she was face to face with Hannibal Lecter. She gasps! (of course). “What the heck are you doing?! I can’t sleep next to you like that! What if you stop breathing?” Literally would have pulled out a baby monitor if there was one… I waved her off to stop making me laugh, silently reminding myself that this was for my health and not a prank to see how many people I could freak out before sunrise.

Here’s the deal: mouth taping forces you to breathe through your nose while you sleep. And nose breathing? It’s like the VIP lounge of the respiratory world. It filters, warms, and humidifies the air you breathe. Plus, it can reduce snoring, improve sleep quality, and help you wake up feeling less like you were run over by a truck. I knew going to sleep like a B-movie villain would make me not just survive, but thrive.

I wake up with a mouth that isn’t dry enough to double as sandpaper and a surprising amount of energy. My sinuses feel clearer, my brain feels sharper, and I don’t have that “ugh, why do I exist?” grogginess that can accompany the mornings. Sure, I still looked ridiculous, but I get that “slept like a baby” sleep..

Yes, it’s weird. Yes, you’ll feel silly at first. And yes, you’ll terrify anyone who catches you in the act. But the benefits? Totally worth it. Clearer breathing, better sleep, and the smug satisfaction of knowing you’re part of the low budget horror film club for health.

There are MANY different types of tape sold, even some made specifically for mouth taping. Some with a breathing hole to give you ease whilst sleeping. I personally use regular ole 3M strong-hold silicone tape since I have sensitive skin. It’s all in your preference!