BREATHE FREE: ROAD TO HEALTHY LUNGS
Adopt healthy habits to improve your lung capacity and shield them against Covid-19
As people across the world get ready to vaccinate against Covid-19, discussions on improving the body’s ability to fight off infections can’t be ignored. Apart from washing our hands, wearing masks, and staying home, we also need to pay attention to our lungs.
Luke Coutinho, a holistic lifestyle coach, feels we do not realise the importance of our lungs unless we suffer from lung issues. “One of the many things that the pandemic has taught is the importance of respiratory function. Our lungs work for us all the time. However, what we fail to use, we lose,” he adds. “With gradual aging, our lungs start to become less flexible and lose their strength to maintain optimum oxygen levels. Lungs require daily care,” says celebrity nutritionist Shweta Gupta.
As the virus obstructs respiratory pathways, it is imperative to have healthy lungs. Here are a few ways to improve your lung health.
DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING
“Today, most of us are chest breathers which puts our body in a sympathetic state, i.e fight-or-flight response state. Hence, taking deep breaths using our nose and breathing into our diaphragm can improve lung health,” says Yash Vardhan Swami, health coach.
DEEP BREATHING EXERCISES
Niyati Tolani, a clinical nutritionist and weight management specialist, suggests beginning your day with a 20-minute deep breathing exercise routine. She says, “Pranayam, kapalvarti, and anulom vilom are good for overall health.” Namita Piparaiya, a yoga and Ayurveda lifestyle specialist, says, “Humming breath (bhramari) helps improve oxygen absorption in the body. It can be practised in the morning and at night.”
BALLOON BREATHING
Blowing up balloons can be a good exercise for the lungs. Coutinho says, “It works in intercostal muscles that are responsible for the movement of the diaphragm and rib cage during breathing. The more effective the movement of the muscles, the better is our lung capacity. This exercise is also proven to boost oxygen saturation levels in our blood.”
EATING RIGHT
Dr Arunesh Kumar, a pulmonologist, recommends green tea for the lungs. “Green tea contains Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin, that is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties,” he says. Tolani suggests apples, lemons, kiwi, mango, spinach, purple cabbage, berries for maintaining lung health and a strong immune system. Jaivardhan Agarwal, founder of an Ayurvedic wellness brand, suggests consuming black cumin seeds for healthy lungs.
AS THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS OBSTRUCTS RESPIRATORY PATHWAYS, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO HAVE A HEALTHY PAIR OF LUNGS
Humming breath helps improve oxygen absorption in the body. It can be practised in the morning and at night. NAMITA PIPARAIYA, and Ayurveda Yoga lifestyle specialist