Good Habits For Healthy Lungs

What do our lungs do for us? In a minute, they provide our body with oxygen and cleanse it off carbon dioxide, 12 to 20 times. What do you do for your lungs?

Here are some good habits you can adopt for healthy lungs:

• Quit Smoking: This is the first and foremost step towards healthy lungs, no matter how old your smoking habit might be.
• Liquids for the lungs: consuming freshly made ginger-honey-lemon tea, green tea, and turmeric water on a daily basis can help reduce congestion, detox the lungs, heal a sore throat, and boost immunity to keep respiratory infection germs at bay.
• Exercise: Being physically active is not just for weight reduction. It makes your lung muscles work harder which increases your breathing rate, thus resulting in improved blood circulation and hence toxins like carbon dioxide are removed more efficiently.
• Ample apples: It is said that eating at least five apples a week can improve lung functioning to a great extent. Plus, foods rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and beta-carotene benefit the lungs.
• Breath clean: When outside our homes, a face mask can filter the air we breathe to some extent. At home, make sure your house is mold-free; dusted regularly with a vacuum cleaner; natural and fragrance-free products are used for cleansing and aerosol sprays are avoided.
• Breathing exercises for improved lung function: The three common breathing exercises include-
  • Pursed lip breathing – Sit straight, and purse your lips as if you are about to kiss. Breathe in from your nose (say for 5 seconds) but breathe out for double the time of inhalation (10 seconds) through your pursed lips. Doing this for about 5 minutes daily is useful, especially for those who lead a sedentary life.
  • Diaphragm breathing – Place your hand gently on your stomach, breathe in from your nose, and breathe out from your mouth. With each successive breath, increase your inhalation and exhalation span in such a way that you feel your stomach rising and emptying, respectively. Doing this for 5 to 10 minutes a day can increase the rate at which your lungs filter the air.
  • Interval training – This involves exercising at a very high speed for 1 minute, then exercising more slowly for 2 minutes. This is recommended for those who suffer from shortness of breath while physical exertion.
• Maintain good oral hygiene: Germ build-up in the mouth if neglected for a long time will not only lead to tooth decay but also oral bacteria entering the bloodstream. This can cause lung infections like pneumonia, emphysema, etc.] For tips on keeping your mouth healthy, visit a dentist today.

If you already have asthma, COPD, or any other respiratory disorder, consult a medical expert before incorporating the aforementioned habits. To get in touch with a renowned pulmonologist, visit Kanpur’s no. 1 health service provider – Regency HealthCare.