We are celebrating and spreading awareness about pulmonary rehabilitation along with the rest of the nation this week. The lungs are essential to being able to participate in the activities you love. There are specific things you can start today in order to make your lungs stay strong. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Breathing Techniques
Deep breathing is excellent for your lungs. As you sit and breathe, you are only using a small amount of your lung capacity. Using your full lung capacity takes conscious thought and practice to work into a daily routine. Some simple techniques you can try are:
Pursed-Lips: Relax your entire body as you breathe through your nose with your mouth closed. Then exhale through your mouth with your lips pursed. Repeat throughout the day.
Belly Breathing: Inhale, filling your entire belly with air and slowly breathe out.
Exercise
Exercising is valuable for your entire body including the heart, lungs and mind. The lungs work harder to supply the body with oxygen, thereby making them stronger. As your lungs are strengthened, they’ll be able to handle exertion with ease.
Minimize Pollutants
Pollution occurs indoors and outdoors. One of the most formidable and threatening indoor pollutants is secondhand smoke. Be sure you live in a smoke-free home and avoid areas where there may be others smoking. Even furniture can hold in the pollutants of cigarette smoke.
Particularly if you live in a city, you will want to pay attention to days where pollutants are high. When humidity levels are high, they are more likely to hold pollutants in the air.
Prevent Infection
Avoid respiratory infections that can cause a host of lung issues. You can do this by washing your hands frequently, getting vaccinated with the flu vaccine and avoiding crowds during cold and flu season.
Hydration
Hydration does favors to your anatomy, including the lungs. It helps to keep the linings thin in the lungs and enable the lungs to function their best.
Stand Tall
Posture can make a great difference to your lungs. When you are hunched over, your lungs are also hunched over. Standing or sitting up straight will enable them to function properly.
Nutrition
Many don’t realize that there are foods that can make a difference to lung health. Consider consuming Omega-3 fatty acids. You can get these from fatty fish, walnuts or flax seed. It can help aid in the fight of respiratory problems including asthma.
More lung superfoods are berries, beans and broccoli. This is because they are rich in antioxidants which help to protect the lungs.
Help your lungs to stay healthy by strengthening them, choosing a safe environment and picking nutritional lung-boosting foods. For assistance with your pulmonary health, contact Advanced Respiratory Network. We would be happy to help you!