Do you get short of breath even after minimal physical activity? It may be a sign of low lung capacity. Lung health has come under the limelight after the recent Covid-19 pandemic and, we all know how important it is to keep your lungs in good health. Going out of breath or recurrent lung infections can be signs of weak lungs and, it can lead to further problems in the future.
8 ways to increase lung capacity
- Breathing exercises
Exercise is essential to keep your body in shape, similarly breathing exercises are the best thing you can do for your lungs. Breathing exercises can help you increase your lung capacity and improve your lung health as well. These exercises involve inhaling and exhaling in different positions to make your breathing better. These exercises are as simple as inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your pursed lips. Try these, and you’ll know the difference.
- Stop Smoking!
It’s easier said than done if you’re a smoker, but if you care about your lungs, you’ll have to make this sacrifice. Smoking can damage your lungs and results in problems ranging from chronic cough to lung cancer. There is a clear difference between the lung capacity of smokers and non-smokers. Once you quit smoking, you’ll be able to see the damage smoking was doing to your lungs as well as your breathing.
- Improve indoor air quality
With the increasing pollution, there isn’t much we can do to control the outdoor air. Nonetheless, keeping the air inside your house clean and fresh can work wonders for your lungs. Keeping your home dust-free, using an air purifier, and indoor plants can make the inside air more breathable and clean.
- Keep a straight posture
Keeping your back straight is vital for many reasons one of them is the extra pressure not sitting straight puts on your lungs. If you want to improve your lungs capacity, consciously remind yourself to keep your posture straight.
- Up your Vitamin D intake
Relaxing in the sun may be the best way to get Vitamin D, but that can be hard in the winters. Vitamin D improves immunity, keeps your bones strong, and it also helps you breathe better. Even if you get your Vitamin D from the sun, it may not be enough, so it’s better to invest in Vitamin D supplements or find other sources for it, such as:
- Fish
- Eggs
- Red meat
- Laugh more frequently
Just like other exercises, laughing more can help increase your lung capacity. A good laugh can make space for more air in your lungs and also helps in reducing stress. It is the most natural exercise that can help you with your lung capacity.
- Keep yourself active
If you’re trying to increase your lung capacity to exercise, guess what? Exercise helps you in raising your lung capacity, so keep going! Your lungs bring the clean oxygen in and get the carbon dioxide out. Daily workout speeds up this process. Remember, inhale and exhale.
- Don’t miss your checkups!
Whether you go to your family doctor or get your lungs checkup done by a Pulmonologist in Lahore, keeping them regular is the way to go. A routine checkup can indicate any complications in your lungs.
Conclusion
Giving your lungs the attention that they need can help you with your overall health. These simple tips can help you with that. If you’re experiencing shortness of breath or lung infections more frequently, consult a Pulmonologist at your earliest for a proper diagnosis.
