Our respiratory health is extremely important as it directly impacts our ability to breathe. Our lungs keep our bodies supplied with adequate oxygen, remove waste gases, and support our overall bodily functions. Join us as we explore a few respiratory health tips that will help you strengthen your lungs!
Prioritize Regular Exercise
Prioritizing regular exercise is great for strengthening your heart and lungs. Exercising can also help individuals with respiratory conditions reduce their symptoms and improve their breathing. Try to aim for about 30 minutes a day (150 minutes a week total) of moderate physical activity. A few activities that are great for improving lung function are walking, jogging, dancing, swimming, and biking.
Quit Smoking
We’re sure you have heard this before, but it is true, quitting smoking or not smoking at all is crucial for lung function and your overall health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that smoking causes most cases of lung cancer and it can worsen symptoms of other respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). For more resources regarding quitting smoking, visit this resource from the American Lung Association.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The air you breathe in directly affects your lung health and strength. Poor air quality can lead to various health conditions and make current respiratory conditions worse. You can improve the air quality in your home by avoiding harmful products such as air fresheners and bleach, vacuuming and dusting regularly, reducing humidity, and using portable air purifiers for cleaner air.
Do Breathing Exercises
Breathing exercises are great for improving lung function and strengthening your lungs. This is a simple and effortless way to prioritize your respiratory health and doing them regularly will help improve your breathing over time. Try out these breathing exercises to strengthen your lungs and increase their capacity.
Eat a Healthy Diet
When we think of lung function, the food we eat may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, our food can have a significant impact on our lung health. Incorporating foods with vitamin D and vitamin E, as well as fresh produce, complex carbs, proteins, and healthy fats can be extremely helpful when focusing on lung health. Try to avoid sulfites (found in dried fruits), salicylates (found in tea and coffee), and foods that cause gas, such as carbonated drinks and fried foods.
What to Do If You are Having Respiratory Problems
If you are experiencing any respiratory issues such as chronic cough, chronic chest pain, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, it is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately. These could be signs of a respiratory condition such as COPD, asthma, or lung cancer. At PulseAir, we can help with the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. Learn more about our respiratory consultations and our respiratory therapy care on our website or contact us for more information.
After reading this blog, we hope that you feel empowered to take charge of your respiratory health. You can implement these helpful tips into your daily life to get back on the right track toward strong and healthy lungs!