Lifestyle
Top 5 Tips to Help You Breathe Easy
Our lungs are efficient machines, but sometimes they can be overwhelmed by environmental irritants or allergens. Dust, dirt, pet dander, mold, pollen and more can make your lungs work overtime, causing coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or a general feeling of being unwell. Fortunately, there are a number of proven ways to help you breathe easier every day.
1. Quit smoking. An obvious but important point that still bears mentioning, quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do to keep your lungs healthy and prevent disease. Smoking damages your lungs and increases your risk for a number of diseases including lung cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Also avoid second-hand smoke, which carries similar risks to smoking.
2. Reduce exposure to indoor air pollution. Consider purchasing an air purifier. After all, do you really want your lungs to be the first filter for indoor pollution? Look for a model with a dual fan like Oreck’s DualMax, which draws in twice the air for double the filtration. Additional steps, such as turning on the exhaust fan when cooking and avoiding the use of aerosol products will also help.
3. Increase exercise. Exercise makes your lungs stronger and more efficient at delivering the oxygen your body needs and can help give your immune system a boost. Aerobic exercise and yoga are ideal. In fact, breathing exercises and the art of deep breathing can rejuvenate the lungs and enhance lung capacity.
4. Go green. Purchase indoor plants and spread them throughout your house. Some species are very effective at improving air quality and can even remove harmful volatile organic compounds like benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene, and toluene. Good plant choices include aloe vera, dracaena ‘Janet Craig’, areca palm, and dragon tree.
5. Stay Safe. Avoid breathing in toxic fumes from chemicals, solvents, and paints. Wear protective masks when working with chemicals and when exposed to airborne irritants like wood dust from sanding.
Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Taking care now improves your chance of lifelong lung health.
