Breathe Freely: Natural Ways to Support Lung Health

As you breathe in, your lungs fill with air, and when you breathe out, your lungs empty. This is an automatic process that, most of the time, we aren’t even aware of. However, when a respiratory condition makes breathing difficult, a single breath can feel like a struggle. It’s important to focus on how you can support lung health.

Symptoms of lower respiratory conditions can include shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, wheezing, chronic cough, and excessive mucus production. If you experience any of these symptoms frequently, you may want to consult with a health care professional. Also, if you have severe difficulty breathing or chest pain, you should seek immediate medical attention.

There are many conditions that can affect your lungs and lower respiratory system.

Ways to Support Lung Health

Practice Deep Breathing. Deep breathing exercises promote relaxation and help you use your lungs more efficiently. The American Lung Association offers exercises for deep breathing as well as additional information about lung health.

Keep Moving. Regular physical activity helps to support heart and lung health and helps strengthen the muscles your body uses and needs for breathing. Start with walking; it is one of the simplest ways to add more movement to your day.

Avoid Smoke and Air Pollutants. Cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke, and environmental pollutants can irritate and even damage your lungs. Paying attention to indoor air quality can also help reduce exposure to smoke, dust, chemicals, and other respiratory irritants.

Eat Nourishing Foods. A whole-food diet provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, and other nutrients your body needs to function properly.

Stay Hydrated. Drinking enough water supports overall health and helps keep the mucous membranes of your respiratory system moist.

Manage Stress. Stress can affect your breathing pattern. It can cause your breathing to become faster or shallower. Deep breathing, meditation, movement, and other stress-management practices can help you relax and become more aware of how you are breathing.

If allergies or sinus problems are making it harder for you to breathe comfortably, you may also be interested in our article on Sinuses and Allergies.

Supporting Your Lungs Is Part of Supporting Your Health

I can’t stress enough how much your overall health impacts your entire body. Your lungs don’t function in isolation. Movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, stress management, and avoiding things that can harm your lungs are all part of supporting your respiratory health.

Healthy habits don’t have to be complicated. Start with one thing you can do today. Take a walk, practice deep breathing for a few minutes, drink another glass of water, or add more whole foods to your meals.

If you’re ready to focus on building healthier habits, explore one of our Wellness Programs.

This article was originally published as part of the Sunshine Sharing newsletter series.
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