How is your respiratory health? Your respiratory system delivers oxygen to your body and eliminates carbon dioxide. So, you’ll want to do whatever you can to achieve optimal lung function. That means being mindful of things that can be harmful.
Considering how vital good respiratory health is, you’ll want to keep these five things in mind.
- Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke
Smoking is a risk factor for various serious diseases — so, it’s best to avoid the practice altogether. In addition to being the leading cause of lung disease, smoking can increase the risk of strokes, heart disease, and other frightening health conditions.
Unfortunately, your health can be compromised by secondhand smoke, too. If you don’t smoke but are in contact with people — maybe some in your household — who do smoke, you might suffer harmful health issues. The CDC, for instance, says that approximately 2.5 million people have, since 1964, died from health conditions caused by secondhand smoke exposure. That’s a sobering statistic.
- Stay Physically Active
According to the Mayo Clinic, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity weekly or a minimum of 75 minutes of robust aerobic activity weekly. If you’re not getting sufficient physical activity every week, you’re not enjoying the benefits of being physically active.
Elsewhere, the Mayo Clinic adds that some benefits of regular physical activity include, but aren’t limited to, weight control, better mood, better quality of sleep, more energy, and improved overall health. And, as you might have guessed, you’ll also enjoy better respiratory health.
When engaging in sufficient physical activity, your body will enjoy more oxygen intake and enhance circulation. You can walk, swim, ride your bike, jog, or do other things to get moving.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet
You can also do your respiratory system a world of good by maintaining a healthy diet. Enjoy a well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins that support optimal lung health. There are tons of produce, nuts, and seeds you can consume to get vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and other healthy vitamins and minerals.
While eating all of the above in moderation is a good thing, you’ll want to know what to be wary of. It’s best to eliminate from your diet, or at least reduce consumption of, sugary food and drinks, heavily processed food, and things with a lot of trans and saturated fats.
- Improve Indoor Air Quality
It’s also important to focus on achieving good interior air quality. Bad indoor air quality can trigger respiratory issues. That’s especially true for people with allergies or asthma.
The good news is there are ways to improve air quality if there’s a problem on that front. You can clean your home regularly to reduce the accumulation of allergens and dust, use air purifiers, open your window for good ventilation regularly, and use houseplants to help clean the air.
- Stay Properly Hydrated
You also must drink enough water to safeguard your respiratory health. Harvard Health says most people require four to six cups of water daily. Drinking enough water will aid digestion, cushion joints, normalize blood pressure, and more.
When you consume enough water, you’ll keep the mucous membranes in your airways and lungs moist to facilitate better breathing. You’ll also clear any mucus accumulation in the lungs.
Improving respiratory health requires a combination of lifestyle changes, preventive measures, and awareness of possible risks. By keeping these five points in mind, you’ll increase the odds of enjoying good overall respiratory health.
It’s also worth considering a consultation with a respiratory health expert if you need more information or have concerns. You can find such experts by asking your family doctor for a referral. These health professionals are up to date on the latest information on respiratory health through ongoing training like online CEUs.
You can leverage their expertise to achieve strong respiratory health and a better quality of life.
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