From the comfort of your own home

With… Steam therapy

Steam therapy, or steam inhalation, involves inhaling water vapor to open the airways and help the lungs drain mucus!
With cold and dry air, people with lung conditions may notice their symptoms worsening. This climate can dry out the mucous membranes in the airway and restrict blood flow.

Steam adds warmth and moisture to the air, which may improve breathing and help loosen mucus inside the airways and lungs. Inhaling water vapor can provide immediate relief and help people breathe more easily.

Grab a pot and boil some water, use an oven mitt to grab the handle to be extra cautious.
Add a eucalyptus or green tea bag to the water and inhale it for some added benefits!

Yoga

Yoga holds so many great benefits.
Alternate nostril breathing is a yogic breath control practice. In Sanskrit, it’s known as nadi shodhana pranayama. This translates as “subtle energy clearing breathing technique.”
Pranayama refers to breathing exercises which clear the physical and emotional obstacles in our body to free the breath and so the flow of prana – life energy.
Pranayama may allow bronchial-dilatation by correcting abnormal breathing patterns & reducing muscle tone of respiratory muscles

How to do it:

1. Start by sitting in a comfortable seat with a tall, straight spine, and exhale completely.
2. Inhale briefly through both nostrils, then sharply exhale (again out of your nose) while pulling your navel in toward your spine.The exhalation is short and quick, but very active, while the inhalation is short and passive.
3. Again, pull your navel in as you exhale and soften it on the inhalation. Do one round of 30 (counting your exhalations) and rest for a minute with some deep breaths in between.
4. Repeat. If this seems strenuous, start with 15 and gradually work your way up.

Tea

Research suggests that ginger tea, green tea, black tea, eucalyptus tea, fennel tea, and licorice tea may reduce inflammation, relax your respiratory muscles, and boost your breathing, among other benefits.

The Yogi brand “breathe deep” tea
This tea tends to have a sweet taste which may be because it contains black licorice thus this tea is great without adding any sugar or sweetener to it. It is known to be a great treatment for anyone with a nasal congestion, sleeping problems, coughs, and common cold symptoms.
It is also great for someone with sinus problems and lung congestion.

The Shifa brand “lung support” tea
This tea is rich in turmeric and rooibos as two of its primary ingredients, so you can immediately expect great results from this tea. Apart from being delicious, this tea has even greater pros, as it will help you breathe easier as well.
For anyone who cannot afford aromatherapy but is looking for a cheaper alternative, you should buy this tea. It is great for colds and coughs, but it does not stop there.
Add a little honey, drink it twice a day and your lungs will clear up before you know it.

Exercise

Diaphragmatic breathing, or “belly breathing,” engages the diaphragm, which is supposed to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to breathing. This technique is particularly helpful in people with COPD, as the diaphragm isn’t as effective in these individuals and could be strengthened. The technique best used when feeling rested. If you have COPD, ask your doctor or respiratory therapist to show you how to use this exercise for best results.
How to do it:
1. Relax your shoulders and sit back or lie down.
2. Place one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
3. Inhale through your nose for two seconds, feeling the air move into your abdomen and feeling your stomach move out. Your stomach should move more than your chest does.
4. Breathe out for two seconds through pursed lips while pressing on your abdomen.
5. Repeat.

Nature

Spending time outdoors boosts our immune system

Lets see how…

While we breathe in the fresh air, we breathe in phytoncides, airborne chemicals that plants give off to protect themselves from insects. Phytoncides have antibacterial and antifungal qualities which help plants fight disease. When people breathe in these chemicals, our bodies respond by increasing the number and activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells or NK. These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies.

Spending time around trees and looking at trees reduces stress, lowers blood pressure and improves mood.

Numerous studies show that both exercising in forests and simply sitting looking at trees reduce blood pressure as well as the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Looking at pictures of trees has a similar, but less dramatic, effect. Studies examining the same activities in urban, unplanted areas showed no reduction of stress-related effects. Using the Profile of Mood States test, researchers found that forest bathing trips significantly decreased the scores for anxiety, depression, anger, confusion and fatigue. And because stress inhibits the immune system, the stress-reduction benefits of forests are further magnified.

Find more info on: Forest Health