Exercise is a staple for a healthy lifestyle. It's just as important as brushing our teeth.:there are no excuses to avoid it. Choose exercises that'll get your heart racing, stimulating a never-ending flow of oxygen. Research shows walking 15 minutes at a time, three to four times a day,improves breathing in people with lung diseases like emphysema. So get in early and make it a habit!
In fact eating smartly is also another important factor. An apple(and tomato) a day keeps the doctor away-or so it seems. Research shows people who have the greatest lung function are those eat more than apples a week, or gulp down tomatoes every other day. Wheezing is also less common in people who eat lots of apples and tomatoes. Stock up on fish oil supplements too-they're high in omega-3 fatty acids, which target inflammation, leading cause of most lung problems.
Open a window whether you're cooped up at home or working away at the office, it's important that there's fresh air circulating. Household products contain toxic fumes, so leaving windows open will maintain a fresh cycle of air. Also, enforce a non-smoking policy indoors:passive smoking can damage your lungs as much as the smoke from your cigarette would.
Try deep breathing before you sleep but the breathing should be slow and smooth-normal rates are between 12 and 16 breath per minute. Why not practise? Breath in for three seconds, breath out for three, then pause-holding your breath for the next three seconds. For ultimate relaxation, try to do this every night for about ten minutes before dozing off. Nudge your partner in the morning, and ask the unaskable: "Honey, do I snore?" If it's a yes, then see a sleep specialist and get checked for sleep apnoea. And don't panic: sleep disorders are common, but typically curable.
Crunch it away as the benefit of doing crunches is two-fold:you'll be ready for summer with your new and defined abs, and you can practise your deep breathing at the same time. As you strengthen your abdominal and chest muscles, you'll eventually build your range of heavy-duty breathing!
So,Happy breathing!
(AW:Samrat Biswas)
