The importance of having strong and fully functioning lungs has never been realised more than in the last two years. Since the advent of the original covid wave and many others post that, most of us have recognised the amazing work that our lungs do for us on a day to day basis. Lungs form a major part of our respiratory system and without them working in a proper way, our body would always be short on oxygen. The cause of this important realization was that the coronavirus directly affects the lungs as well as the respiratory system of the body.
For this reason, people who had long covid or the worst symptoms realised that they could not breathe properly because of the lasting damage that the virus caused in their lungs. Many people also lost their lives due to their body not being able to take in the required amount of oxygen. Apart from this, people who suffer from asthma or other respiratory issues also need to focus on strengthening and increasing their lung capacity. They can also keep a piston compressor nebulizer or a portable mesh nebulizer handy to aid them in times of need. But if you are interested to know all about how to make your lungs more capable and strong in the long run, then just keep reading.
- Practice Deep Breathing Exercises:
The best and the most natural way to improve your lung capacity is to practice some deep breathing exercises. These exercises also form an important part of yoga and that is rightfully so. This is because breathing deeply helps our lungs to take in oxygen to their maximum capacity and hence making them much more capable, which may not be the case when we are breathing normally. It is advised to practice these exercises when the air around you is the freshest, which occurs mostly in the early morning time.
- Say No To Congestion:
If you are the kind of person who suffers from a lot of chest or nasal congestion on a regular basis, then that can have an adverse effect on your lungs in the long run. If that is the case with you, try to ease that congestion with the help of a steam inhaler, the kinds of which are widely available in the market. Engaging in steam therapy on a regular basis can help to soften the mucus which gets stuck in your lungs and causes congestion. This can make it easier to flush it out of your system, ultimately helping you to breathe better whilst safeguarding your lungs. - Aerobic Exercises:
Another important thing which can help to improve your lung capacity and keep them healthier for a long time is exercising. Specifically aerobic exercise is a great way to strengthen your lungs. Certain exercises like running, walking briskly, swimming etc can help to increase your stamina as well as your breathing capacity. Playing an active sport regularly can also aid in such a case. Exercising in the mornings when the air is much cleaner as compared to the rest of the day can provide a dual benefit to your respiratory system. So if you want strong lungs, make it a point to engage in any kind of exercise or workout on a daily basis.
- Quit Smoking:
One of the worst things that you can do to shorten the lifespan of your lungs is to engage in smoking. If you are a regular smoker, you may want to rethink this habit as it can have an adverse, long term as well as irreversible impact on your overall health and wellness. Any amount of smoking is not good for you, but smoking packs on packs of cigarettes every single day can dramatically shorten your life. Smoking has been associated with lung cancer as well as other dangerous diseases such as hypertension. The way to stronger and healthier lungs is definitely through quitting smoking. - Fix Your Posture:
Sometimes when you tend to slouch too much or do not really hold the correct back posture, your lungs can get compressed which can limit their capacity and thereby hinder your breathing capabilities. For this purpose, it is really important to maintain good posture whilst doing anything, be it sitting, standing, walking, exercising or even sleeping. Not having the correct posture can not only adversely affect your lungs but also cause you discomfort and pains in your back as well as neck regions. You can also use a warm compress to ease the aches but do make it a point to remind yourself periodically to correct your posture.
- Improve Your Indoor Air Quality:
Most urban cities that we live in today are adversely polluted. While we already know the grave impact that this can have on the environment, this pollution can also prove to be extremely harmful for your lungs. Breathing in the pollutant particles present in the air can create harmful deposits in your lungs. This can lead to cancers in extreme cases. The best way to counter this pollution is to use air purifiers in places where you spend the maximum amount of time like your home and office. You can also use oxygen concentrators to increase the flow of oxygen indoors to help you to breathe better. - Eat Antioxidant Rich Foods:
Adding a lot of antioxidant rich foods like natural fruits and vegetables in your diet can help to keep your lungs as well as your entire body healthy in the long term. Antioxidants are substances which are really good for you as they protect the numerous cells in your body from the action of free radicals. If these remain unchecked, they can lead to serious diseases such as cardiovascular issues and cancer.
Nothing can save you from the effect of coronavirus or any other disease better than having a healthy body and a well functioning immune system. So make it a point to take precautions whilst maintaining good health along the way. Try out the tips detailed in this article and let us know if you felt any positive change in your lung capacity or physique post following them.
