After recently competing, Burgess shared how the method of nasal breathing and mouth taping has elevated his athletic efforts and sleep quality. The athlete who is a qualified breath coach and studies breathing science shared, 'It's a very simple trick that we can use to improve our sleep to ensure nasal breathing throughout the night.'
When explaining the method he uses, he says he applies a small piece of tape across the middle of his lips.
'Put it on half an hour before you go to bed for the first time, get used to it,' said Burgess. 'If you can use your nose for one minute, it will stay open. The more you use it, the more open it will become. The easier it will be to use during the day as well.'
Burgess is in no doubt that his success is down to this method. 'I've been doing this for 7 or 8 years now and I'm not sure if I'd even still be in a boat, you know, what it's done for me, for injury prevention,' he says.
I keep saying "I get more robust with age". I'm 32 now. I had all my injuries in late teens, early twenties. Correcting my breathing when I was 25 was a huge turning point for me. Not only for keeping my physical wellness , but also mental, and then the performance side on race day as well.'
Burgess was also keen to add that if you're at any risk of having sleep apnea, not to do mouth taping and instead seek professional advice first.