While the heart often gets much attention, healthy lungs are equally important for overall well-being. Lung infections can arise as complications of other chronic conditions, and maintaining lung health is critical. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to air pollution contributes to 4.2 million deaths worldwide each year. Additionally, cigarette smoking is responsible for one in every five deaths in the United States. Although the body has natural defenses to protect the lungs, there are additional steps we can take to keep them functioning optimally.
How To Keep Your Lungs Healthy
1. Practice Deep Breathing
Lung capacity tends to diminish as we age, but specific deep breathing exercises can help maintain lung function. Breathing exercises benefit both healthy individuals and those with respiratory issues. Two effective techniques include:
- Diaphragmatic breathing: This technique helps build lung capacity and is particularly beneficial for individuals with COPD. Inhale through your nose for two seconds, allowing air to fill the abdomen, and exhale for two seconds.
- Pursed-lip breathing: Inhale through your nose and exhale slowly through pursed lips. This technique can help improve air exchange.
2. Detox Your Lungs
Though our lungs are self-cleaning organs, a few simple practices can enhance lung function:
- Garlic and honey: Start your day with 1-2 crushed cloves of garlic with a tsp of raw honey to help break down mucus.
- Lemon water and cayenne pepper: Drink 250ml of lemon water with a pinch of cayenne pepper in the morning to loosen mucus.
- Fenugreek seed water: Drinking fenugreek seed water and chewing the soaked seeds can aid in clearing mucus.
- Steam inhalation: Inhale steam with peppermint and eucalyptus oil for 5 minutes twice daily.
- Castor oil massage: Massaging your chest with warm castor oil can help alleviate congestion and clear mucus.
3. Get Fit & Stay Active
Regular exercise strengthens the muscles and increases the body’s need for oxygen, leading to an increased breathing rate. This process improves circulation and helps the body eliminate excess carbon dioxide produced during exercise. Staying active keeps your lungs healthy and enhances overall respiratory function.
4. Stay Hydrated
Keeping your airways moist is essential for optimal lung function, especially for those with breathing problems. Staying well-hydrated ensures the mucosal lining in the lungs remains thin, allowing them to function more effectively.
5. Prevent Infection & Avoid Exposure To Pollutants
Sometimes respiratory infections become very serious. To safeguard your lungs from various infections you should:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based sanitizer
- Maintain good oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice a day and see your dentist every six months
- Avoid crowded places during cold and flu season. Get yourself vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia every year
- Minimize exposure to outdoor air if the quality is not good and avoid exercising outdoors on bad air days
- Don’t exercise near heavy traffic to avoid inhaling polluted air
- Avoid exposure to indoor pollutants which worsen lung disease. Make your home and car smoke-free
- Dust the furniture at least twice a week. Keep your home clean as much you can, use natural cleaning products and make sure you have adequate air ventilation at home.
- Instead of using synthetic air fresheners and candles, you can use an aromatherapy diffuser, essential oils like lavender oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, etc.
- Stop smoking as soon as possible because it causes chronic inflammation in the lungs and destroys lung tissues which can lead to chronic bronchitis and lung cancer.
In addition to these practices, incorporating anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich foods into your diet can further support lung health. Include foods like turmeric, green tea, cherries, blueberries, olives, walnuts, beans, and lentils to help reduce lung inflammation.
We hope this article helps you. To know more ways to keep your lungs healthy, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.
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