Lung health is a crucial component of a long and active lifestyle. There are many environmental and lifestyle factors that can affect it. If you find yourself wanting to know the five best tips for keeping your lungs in tip-top shape, then read on!
1. Avoid Irritants
Irritants are things that enter your lungs and cause harm. Smoking is the most well-known irritating factor. It can decrease lung capacity, increase cancer risk, and lower the ability to fight off infection. Vaping nicotine also has the potential to permanently scar your lungs.
Two other common irritants are mold and air pollution. Do your best to avoid toxic environments such as dense urban areas and homes with water damage. Water damage can produce mold in as little as 24-48 hours after the damage occurs. You should also regularly test your home for radon, an odorless substance that can seep into your home and cause lung cancer.
2. Regular Exercise
Regular exercise increases lung capacity and overall cardiovascular health. Aerobic exercises like running and swimming are great for lung health. This is especially useful if you’re an ex-smoker since these exercises can cause you to cough out all that gunk in your lungs. Additionally, you can practice deep breathing exercises to enhance both lung health and overall peace of mind. There are plenty of great resources out there to guide people through their first breathing exercises!
3. Avoid Illness and Infection
A cornerstone of optimal lung function is avoiding illness and infection. They can permanently damage your lung tissue and render you unable to exercise while you’re ill. Avoiding illness means staying away from people who are sick or wearing a protective face covering when you must be in their presence. Large crowds can be hotspots for illness transmission, especially during the cold and flu season. Wash your hands frequently to avoid transferring germs from your hands into your respiratory system. It’s wise to wash your hands after going out, after you use the bathroom, and before you eat. Also, keeping your home’s humidity levels higher has been proven to decrease influenza infection rates.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
Did you know that certain foods can improve your lung health? Foods containing antioxidants such as beets and blueberries are great for this. On the flip side, unhealthy foods such as fast food can contribute to poor health both in the lungs and overall. A balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-filled foods is ideal for great cardiovascular health as a whole.
5. Steam Your Lungs
A great way to clean unwanted particles out of your lungs is with steam! Deep breathing in hot showers and saunas can help you cough out particles and leave your lungs feeling refreshed. Some medical spas may provide steam services. They also provide detoxes, which can remove toxins from the body and improve lung health when done regularly and combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Did you know that millennials account for only 20% of medical spa clients? Maybe this is because they don’t generally associate health with relaxation and leisure, but they can certainly be one and the same!
It’s important to keep your lungs healthy since oxygen processing is crucial for clear thinking, an active lifestyle, and survival itself. Luckily, optimal lung health can be maintained with a healthy lifestyle and living arrangements. If the lungs have already been compromised, making necessary lifestyle adjustments and engaging in regenerative activities can improve their condition. Happy breathing!