One of the things that is really scary about the corona virus is the effect it is having on lungs.
Did you know that even your lungs need exercise to stay healthy and for your body to function normally? Your body needs oxygen for survival. Every activity in the body is dependent on oxygen, including the metabolic functioning of cells. The lungs perform the task of delivering oxygen to every part of the body. And, by practicing a few exercises regularly, you can train your lungs to increase their capacity, which will help you inhale more oxygen. This will, in turn, protect the body from various breathing disorders, help increase stamina, and ensure every part of the body gets adequate oxygen. But breathing is not just a necessity of life—it also has an array of positive effects on our body, mind, and spirit.
When we breathe deeply and mindfully, our breaths can create profound physiological effects that we’re only beginning to appreciate with the rise of yoga, meditation, and other breathwork practices in the last few decades.
Your chiropractic adjustments assist in healthy breathing by reducing tension and inflammation allowing the vertebra in your mid back to align, your ribs and the muscles in your neck to all work together to assist in better breathing.
So, scroll right down and check out these super efficient exercises to increase your lung capacity.
These exercises are not meant to diagnosis or treat COVID-19 or any other condition If you are not feeling well please seek medical attention . Also if you have an existing lung condition get clearance from your lung doctor (pulmonologist) before you begin these.
You are going to be exhaling with a bit of force during these so I suggest you stick with the current social distancing rule of six feet or more from anyone else while doing these.
Better Breathing Tip: It’s normal to hold your shoulders tense and high. Before starting any breathing technique, take a minute to drop your shoulders down, close your eyes, and relax.
Number One is Belly Breathing
Inhale through the nose push your belly out.
This is the exact opposite movement of sucking it in! Now breath out through the mouth and push it out
To do belly breathing:
- Place one hand on your abdomen. Place one hand on your upper chest.
- Focus your breathing on your abdomen.
- As you breathe in, the hand on your abdomen should rise.
- As you breathe out, the hand on your abdomen should lower.
- Breathe in through the nose. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips.
- Start by doing it while lying on your back. Then try it while sitting. Then try it while standing. Finally, try it while doing an activity.
Number Two is Pursed Lips Breathing
This should fell like smelling flowers and blowing out candles.
To do pursed-lips breathing:
- Breathe in through your nose (as if you are smelling something) for about 2 seconds.
- Pucker your lips like you’re getting ready to blow out candles on a birthday cake.
- Breathe out very slowly through pursed-lips, two times longer than you breathed in.
- Work towards increasing your times
- 2 seconds in : 4 seconds out
- 4 seconds in : 8 seconds out
- 8 seconds in : 16 seconds out
Bonus points you can use this for homeschool math!
Practice this 2 to 3 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes
Many people feel they do not need to increase their lung capacity until the time a simple and short exercise like playing with their kids or running with pets tires them and leaves them breathless.
Do these exercises to increase lung capacity and enjoy leisure time with loved ones without experiencing shortness of breath and fatigue
Stay well both mentally and physically. We will see you all soon!
