Breathing is a pretty essential part of life, and as such it's lucky that it is not something you need to consciously remember to do. There are however, advantages to learning some simple techniques to improving your lung capacity - while you can't increase the actual size of your lungs; it's possible to train them to be more efficient in taking in, and utilizing oxygen.
Decreased lung capacity can negatively impact our health:
- lack of oxygen impairs metabolic function
- decreased endurance during activities
- lack of oxygen reserves increases the risk of heart attack and stroke
- poor energy and general fatigue
- decline in general focus, concentration and memory
Here are a few exercises to get you on your way to great lung health:
- Stand on flat ground and bend over at your waist. Keep your knees loose and exhale as much air as possible. Inhale as you slowly stand up. When your lungs are full, hold your breath for 20 seconds. While you are counting, stretch your arms over your head. Relax and exhale slowly as you lower your arms. Do this four times.
- You will need to lie down for this one. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach. Take a deep, slow breath and feel your stomach pulling. You want to see the hand on your abdomen rise higher than the one on your chest. Exhale through your mouth, then breathe in through your nose and hold your breath for about 7 seconds. Breathe out while counting to 8 and squeeze your stomach muscles to make sure all the air is out.
- Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Let all the air out of your lungs. Inhale again and picture the number 1 as you concentrate on breathing slowly. Exhale after you have held your breath for 2 seconds. Inhale slowly as you picture the number 3 and exhale after holding your breath till the count of 3. Repeat this until you have reached the number 8 then do the entire exercise again.
- Learn to pay a wind instrument…try the flute, or trombone.
Did you know: If you splash water on your face while holding your breath, it accelerates bradycardia (the slowing of your heart rate). How it works: Splashing water tricks your body into thinking it is going to be going underwater where it needs to keep the heart beat regular and move more oxygen through your body.