Health is Wealth - Ralph Waldo Emerson
This simple quote has started to make sense to many people in the midst of Covid-19 crises. Undoubtedly; if there is anything which has become our utmost priority right now, it's our health. The on-going pandemic isn't only affecting us physically but also weakening our emotional wellbeing. Lungs, in general being one of the most important organs in the human body, is known to give us life. However, most of us don’t understand its importance till it starts to stop functioning properly. Smoking, excessive exposure to polluted areas, moulds and inhaling chemicals cause damage to the lungs. The organ starts to lose its capacity with time. Thus; it is crucial to start developing some habits that keep the organ fighting fit.
So, how to keep lungs healthy?
Deep breathing exercises, if done on a regular basis do wonders to a human body. If you practice such exercises early in the morning, you will witness significant positive changes in your life. Here, we are elaborating some deep breathing exercises that will make your lung capacity much stronger.
1. Humming Bee Breath
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Also known as Bhramari, Humming Bee Breath exercise does not only make you feel relaxed but it also boosts concentration as it helps to improve the functioning of our nervous system. This exercise is also considered one of the best breathing exercises for anxiety. So, if you get distracted easily or feel frustrated quite often, practising Humming Bee Breath exercise is highly recommended.
Curious to know how to perform it? Follow the steps to know…
Sit down on a mat in a peaceful environment.
Close your eyes and relax your facial muscles.
Place both the thumbs on the Tragus Cartilage so that it covers your ear canal, and put fingers on your eyes.
Now, inhale slowly and while exhaling make humming sound i.e. hmmmmmm loudly. Note: You can continue doing it as long as you feel absolutely comfortable.
2. Cooling Breath
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Also known as Sheetali Pranayama, Cooling Breath exercise works miraculously to cool down your body temperature. This breathing exercise for lungs prevents acne, skin allergies, hypertension, anxiety, anger etc. Follow the steps mentioned below to reap the endless benefits of Sheetali Pranayama.
Steps to perform Sheetali Pranayama/Cooling Breath…
Sit in a pranayama position, keeping your back straight.
Take your tongue out and make both sides touch, creating a hole in between both sides of your tongue. Note: If you can not roll your tongue, you can also make an O with your lips.
Now, inhale slow but deep.
Then, lower your chin to make it touch your chest and hold your breath as long as you feel comfortable.
After that, exhale slowly through your left nostril.
You can perform this exercise 5 times.
3. Diaphragmatic Breathing
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Also known as Abdomen Breathing, the Diaphragmatic Breathing is one of the effective lung capacity exercises. Performing it lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, enhances focus, improves your mood etc. If you want to feel more energised, you must give it a try!
Follow the steps to perform Diaphragmatic Breathing...
Sit in a relaxed position or lie down on a comfortable mat.
Now, place one hand on your chest and another on your belly.
Take a deep breath from your nose way down to your stomach, ensuring that your belly puffs out.
After some time, exhale as slowly as you can through your mouth, making your belly sucks in.
Conclusion...
Taking care of your lungs shouldn’t be your priority only during a pandemic but you should take care of your overall health on a regular basis. These exercises do not only make you breathe better but promote various health benefits as well. If you have any health issues, we would like to advise you to consult your doctor before performing these deep breathing exercises.
Also, keep in mind that just performing these breathing exercises wouldn’t help you much, you also have to get rid of the habits that contribute in damaging your lungs. Quitting smoking, ingesting antioxidant rich food, performing deep breathing are a few healthy habits that you should inculcate in order to breathe better.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article. If you feel informed and entertained, please share your views in the comment section below !