Although technology and industrialization have made our daily lives a lot more convenient, it’s also made the atmosphere incredibly polluted. Pollution brings with it tons of health complications, particularly lung and respiratory issues like asthma and lung cancer. It also compromises your lung capacity. Unfortunately, the need for stronger lungs has never been more necessary than now. While you can’t expand the size of your lungs, you can still strengthen and increase the amount of oxygen it takes in with these simple tips.
Improve the air quality at home
Sad to say, staying indoors won’t keep you safe from air pollution. Dust, smoke, pollen, and fumes can follow you into your home from outside or accumulate in your living spaces without you even knowing it. You can regulate the air quality in your home by investing in HEPA filters and air purifiers, and hiring someone to do regular duct cleaning to keep your HVAC system fresh. Certain houseplants like chrysanthemums, peace lilies, dwarf date palms, and spider plants can also purify your air.
Practice yoga
Yoga can help improve your lung capacity by requiring you to perform breathing exercises and teaching you the right way to breathe. These exercises can expand your chest wall and stimulate your lungs. It also improves your posture, which can give your lungs more space to function properly so you can breathe more deeply.
Get your cardio on
Your body requires more oxygen when you perform strenuous physical activities. Regular cardiovascular exercises train your heart and lungs to be stronger and more efficient at transporting oxygen throughout the body, particularly your muscles and bloodstream. Cardio exercises include swimming, running, cycling, jumping rope, and rowing.
Practice diaphragmatic breathing
Diaphragmatic breathing exercises strengthen your diaphragm, which is responsible for helping you breathe better. It also helps your body use less energy and effort when breathing.
The diaphragmatic breathing technique involves lying on your back on a flat surface with your knees bent and your head elevated on a pillow. Put one hand on your upper chest and one directly below your rib cage. Take a deep breath through your nose until you feel your stomach puff out on your hand while your chest remains relaxed. When you exhale, you should do so through pursed lips while keeping your stomach muscles tight and your chest still relaxed.
Get yourself vaccinated
As you get older, you become more prone to more serious respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. Keep yourself healthy by speaking to your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine and any other vaccines that will protect you from various respiratory diseases.
Sing and laugh as hard as you can
You’ve probably heard of the saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” That’s never been truer than for increasing your lung capacity. Laughing and singing give your heart, lungs, and abdominal muscles a good workout. It’s a good excuse to never miss out on karaoke night so you can laugh and sing to your heart’s content.
It’s now more important than ever to take care of your lungs as pollution shows no signs of stopping and the number of cases of respiratory diseases continues to rise. Keep your lungs strong and healthy with these practical tips for increasing your lung capacity.
