Perex: The lung capacity of humans decreases as they age. However, breathing exercises can help bolster lung function and capacity.
Lung capacity refers to the total amount of air that the human lungs can hold. However, in due course of time, our lung capacity as well as the function decrease, especially after we reach our mid-20s. Thereafter, senior citizens and the elderly are highly susceptible to breathing problems.
Moreover, certain health conditions, such as asthma can significantly speed up the loss of lung capacity and functionality, culminating in breathing problems and shortness of breath. However, all hope is not lost, as there are some breathing exercises to improve lung function. Interested to know more? Read ahead!
Breathing Exercises - Can They Improve Lung Function and Capacity?
Breathwork or breathing exercises are an array of techniques that can bolster your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. These exercises can vehemently help maintain lung capacity and function, thereby keeping your lungs healthier and allowing your body to get the oxygen it needs.
Moreover, the best part is that breathing exercises to improve lung function and function can be incorporated into your daily routine. So, long, short , short, breathing exercises do work in bolstering your lung’s capacity.
Top 3 Breathing Exercises to Improve Lung Function
- Diaphragmatic Breathing
The diaphragm is used for breathing, sometimes referred to as "belly breathing" or diaphragmatic breathing. It is especially helpful for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - a condition wherein the diaphragm is not as effective and requires strengthening. To practice diaphragmatic breathing, you can follow the steps given below -
- Relax your shoulders
- Sit back or lie down
- Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest
- Inhale through your nose for 2 seconds or till the count of four
- Feel the air moving into your abandon and observe your stomach move out or expand
- Then, breathe out 2 seconds through pursed lips while pressing on your abdomen
- Repeat the process for three to four times
2. Equal Breathing
Equal breathing, also known as coherent breathing, is an excellent exercise to improve lung function. The key is to inhale and exhale for the same amount of time. When you breathe consciously, your body establishes a relaxed rhythm and is able to access its full lung capacity.
3. Pursed Lip Breathing
It is a type of breathing exercise that is done to slow your breathing. The slow exhale coupled with the shape of your lips enable the airways to remain open longer, thereby reducing the proportion of work you need to breathe. According to a 2014 study, the pursed lips breathing could help improve exercise tolerance in COPD patients. The patients felt an improvement with their breathing patterns, arterial oxygenation, etc.
To practice pursed lip breathing, you can follow the steps given below -
- Breathe in through your nose
- Purse your lips as if you are about to blow air
- Exhale slowly through your lips and make sure that the exhalation process is twice the length of your inhale
- Repeat the steps for as many times as needed
4. Humming Bee Breathing
Also known as Bhramari Pranyama, the Humming bee breathing technique is an exercise that incorporates humming. It enables more oxygen to travel throughout your body.
Conclusion
So, there we have it, the top 4 breathing exercises to improve lung capacity and function.
Summary
Breathing exercise to improve lung function and do wonders in improving a person’s physical and mental well-being.
