Performing breathing exercises helps increase oxygen intake, reduce stress, and improve overall respiratory health.
Breathing exercises focus on inhaling deeply through the nose, holding your breath for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly through your mouth or nose. You can start practicing breathing for a few minutes every day, keep a comfortable and relaxed position, and avoid overexertion. If done regularly, breathing exercises bring many benefits.
Increase lung capacity
Breathing exercises help the lungs fully expand, strengthening the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, which are very important for breathing. People living in air polluted areas can practice breathing exercises to prevent lung capacity loss due to inhalation of harmful substances.
Clear airways
Air pollution often leads to congestion, irritation, and inflammation of the respiratory tract, causing difficulty breathing. Breathing exercises using the diaphragm help expand the airways, reduce the feeling of chest tightness, and increase airflow into the lungs. This helps reduce the risk of respiratory infections and chronic coughs.
The habit of practicing breathing for a few minutes every day is good for your health. Image: AI
Increase oxygen absorption
One of the direct benefits of breathing exercises is increased oxygen intake. Many breathing techniques that focus on deep breathing can help absorb oxygen better and circulate blood throughout the body. Polluted air reduces oxygen levels. Maintaining a deep breathing habit helps the lungs function effectively, ensuring the body receives enough oxygen even when the air quality is poor.
Supports detoxification
Deep, rhythmic breathing stimulates the lymphatic system to eliminate toxic substances and enhance circulation, promoting the body to eliminate waste more effectively. Regular deep breathing can prevent the buildup of pollutants in the lungs and blood.
Reduce stress
Polluted air puts stress on the body and, if prolonged, worsens respiratory problems. Breathing exercises activate the body’s relaxation response, calming the nervous system. By practicing controlled deep breathing, the body counteracts the negative effects of stress, reducing increased blood pressure and heart rate, and muscle tension.
Improve respiratory muscles
Breathing exercises involve the respiratory muscles including the diaphragm, intercostal muscles (between the ribs) and abdominal muscles. Practicing pursed lip breathing or diaphragmatic breathing regularly contributes to strengthening these muscles. Strong respiratory muscles improve airflow control, which is helpful in protecting the lungs from the harmful effects of pollution such as smog.