Tips for Keeping Your Lungs Healthy and Strong
Lung health often gets a little bit of attention in the medical community. Why? Because they are so important! You can’t live without your lungs, and when your lung health suffers, so does your quality of life. In order to take care of your lungs, don’t wait until there is a problem. Be proactive! Take a look at these tips for keeping your lungs in tip top shape and improving your quality of life.
Stop (or NEVER start) Smoking
If you don’t already smoke, then great for you! This is one of the worst habits for your body, especially your lungs. It can also damage your teeth, skin, circulation, and many other parts of the body. It’s simply, in today’s world, a serious health NO! If you already smoke, do everything you can to kick the habit. Ask your doctor for help, try patches or gum, or even hypnosis. All of these have been successful for different people. The point is not how you quit, but rather that you quit as soon as you possibly can.
Get Plenty of Exercise
Your lungs need exercise just like the rest of your body. When you exercise, you are giving strength and stamina to your lungs. Try simple exercises like walking, hiking, biking, or jogging. All of these will work the body, but they will give special attention to your lungs. Don’t forget to take it slowly. It will take a while for your lungs to build strength, so don’t be afraid to take it slow and build them up over time.
Get Out of Polluted Areas
This might not be possible for some. You may live in a big city where pollution is abundant and unavoidable. When you can, however, avoid the days that are at their highest. Along with weather reports, you can often find a pollutant report. Look before you go out. While you may not be able to avoid ever going out in the pollution, you can limit your time outside on those days that the air quality is at its lowest.
You only have one set of lungs, and their health is important to your overall health, so take care of them. Even if yours are already damaged, you can still take precautions to enhance their health or protect what is left. Use these tips to take care of your lungs and improve your quality of life starting today.
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Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of Thomas Galvez