Breathe Easy with These Unknown Strategies for Perfect Lung Health!

Many often overlook the significant role of the lung to keep the human body strong and well-functioning. Only when people start experiencing breathing problems or severe lung disease do they realise the importance of the lungs. People desiring to have healthier bodies should make efforts to protect their lungs and maintain the organ's health. 

The truth is that, just like your heart, muscles, and other body parts, your lungs tend to age with time. They usually lose their strength and flexibility, making it more challenging for individuals to breathe and thus causing health issues.  

However, by adopting effective healthy habits, you can support your lungs’ health. This article puts together a few unknown strategies to maintain your lung health and keep them working optimally as you age. 

8 Lesser-Known Ways to Keep Your Lungs Healthy 

Your lungs work hard to provide your body with sufficient oxygen. But as you age, the capacity of the lungs declines, making breathing more difficult. However, here are some strategies you can follow to maintain optimal lung health: 

1. Practice Diaphragmatic Breathing 

Among many tips you have heard for keeping your lungs healthy, one lesser practised strategy is breathing techniques, especially diaphragmatic breathing. Practising diaphragmatic breathing is more helpful for people experiencing lung problems like chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. 

This breathing technique involves your diaphragm muscle, which separates the organs in your abdomen from your lungs. You need to concentrate on lowering your diaphragm as you breathe to get a much deeper inhale. Practising diaphragmatic breathing regularly can increase your lung capacity.  

2. Count Your Breaths 

Another effective way to elevate your lung capacity is to increase the length of your exhalations and inhalations. All you need to do is count how long your natural breath takes. For instance, if it takes to the count of six for you to inhale, you should take the count of six to exhale. Always try to keep the count to inhale and exhale at an equal length.  

Once you discover the count it takes for your average breath, gradually increase the inhale and exhale count by one until you comfortably extend the time to fill and empty your lungs.  

3. Try Steam Therapy to Detox Your Lungs 

Steam therapy or steam inhalation is the optimal lung detox strategy. It basically involves inhaling water vapour to unclog the airways and loosen mucus.  

If you suffer from a lung condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your symptoms might worsen in cold, dry air. Extremely cold weather can dry out the mucous membranes in the airways, restricting blood flow. 

Undergoing steam therapy can add warmth and moisture to the air, which can loosen mucus inside the airways and lungs and, thus, make breathing easier. Therefore, take steam for at least a week or more in the cold weather to help your lungs function smoothly. 

4. Watch Your Posture 

Now that lungs are soft body organs, they can only take up the room your body makes for them. So, you should look after your body posture. 

For instance, consider sitting tall and reaching overhead occasionally to make more room for your lungs and, thus, breathe comfortably. Another technique to give your lungs even more room is to lean back slightly in a stable chair, lift your chest, and open the front of your body as you take deep breaths. 

5. Minimise Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor Pollutants 

Among many things you can do to support your lung health is minimising exposure to not only outdoor pollutants but also indoor pollutants.  

Radon gas is most commonly associated with lung damage. It naturally rises from beneath the earth’s surface and gets trapped in homes on the top of radon-emitting areas. Anyone can test for radon gas in their house using radon testing kits. Other than that, avoid prolonged exposure to strong solvents, industrial chemicals, and particulate matter such as sawdust, as these materials can cause lung irritation.  

When it comes to outdoor pollutants, regularly check your local air quality. When pollution levels are extremely high, consider avoiding exercising or, if possible, stepping outside. In addition, if you reside in areas prone to fire or other harmful pollutants, get a good-quality HEPA filter. 

6. Stay Up to Date with Vaccinations 

Infectious respiratory diseases like COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, or pneumococcal pneumonia spread from person to person. And the ideal way to stop the spread of infection is by getting vaccinated. If not vaccinated, you might experience severe infection and, thus, need to undergo a lung infection treatment.  

Moreover, vaccines are specifically important for individuals already experiencing a lung disease to prevent fatal illnesses. 

7. Treat the Chest Congestion 

You can suffer from a congested chest when mucus accumulates in your lungs and bronchi. It further causes a productive cough, with some struggling to breathe properly. Not treating chest congestion on time can lead to fatal lung health problems. So, to keep your lungs healthy, you should treat the chest congestion quickly.  

You can try effective home remedies for chest congestion, such as gargling with salt water, drinking lots of fluids, using a humidifier, taking honey, using peppermint or eucalyptus oil, slathering on vapour rub, and avoiding smoking.  

8. Practice Laughing 

Health experts say laughing is an excellent exercise to work abdominal muscles and boost lung capacity. Moreover, this exercise can also clear out your lungs by forcing stale air out and allowing fresh air to enter your lungs.  

Concluding Thoughts 

Implementing these eight strategies into your life can help you keep your lungs strong and working optimally for life. Moreover, if you experience any of the symptoms related to lung disease or illness, like painful breathing, dizziness, persistent cough, or pain in the airway, undergo an appropriate diagnosis. So, don’t waste your time! Quickly book a full body test package with Pathkind to take control of your lung health.