Want to Keep Your Lungs Healthy? Follow These Simple Tips

Rarely do people understand the importance of lungs. Just like our hearts, joints, and other crucial organs, they need more TLC as we age. The truth is, we often neglect the health of our lungs, but did you know that they play a huge role in our overall health?

Basically, their main function is to help us breathe with ease, an act we often take for granted. After all, it’s usually an involuntary motor task. However, if the lungs continue to be neglected, this can lead to many diseases, so here are ways to take care of this organ:

Stop Smoking

Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs, it’s generally bad for your entire body. By now, you may already know that this vice can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.

Gorynvd/Shutterstock Smoking can lead to lung cancer

More than this, smoking may lead to other lung diseases such as asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and COPD. Thousands of chemicals like carbon monoxide, tar, and nicotine enter the lungs whenever you smoke, thereby causing the rapid aging of the organ.

Try Deep Breathing

Most people aren’t aware that they only use a portion of their lungs when they breathe. Deep breathing is crucial to clear the organ and create a full oxygen exchange.

Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock Deep breathing exercises the lungs too

Practicing deep breaths can strengthen your lungs and can make you feel more relaxed – the reason it is usually added in yoga sessions. Unlike shallow breathing, deep ones come from the stomach so you’ll notice your belly rising and falling.

Reduce Exposure to Pollutants

There are tons of toxins in the air that can harm and hasten the aging of our lungs. When the organ is young, it is generally strong enough to ward off pollutants, however, as we grow old, it becomes less resistant and is not as effective in fighting infections.

The best way to avoid pollutants is to stay indoors during peak air pollution times. Avoid secondhand smoke and exercising near the road where you can inhale exhaust.

If your work entails exposure to chemicals, wear the proper gear to reduce the chance of inhaling toxins.

Exercise

One of the best ways to take care of your lungs is to work out because you’re actually exercising your organ, too. Whenever you move, your heart beats faster, which in turn makes your lungs perform its role harder.

Syda Productions/Shutterstock Aerobic exercise is good for the lungs

To sustain the exercise, your muscles need oxygen so your lungs work hard to supply the air that your body needs. Along the way, it expels more carbon dioxide in the process called respiration.

The best exercise for the lungs and whole body is the aerobic workout because it gets your heart pumping.