How to Strengthen Weak Lungs

Lungs take in air, allowing your body to absorb oxygen. However, if you have a breathing condition such as asthma or bronchitis or have chronically weak lungs, you may need to strengthen your lungs before your body can function at its best. If you have a medical condition standing in the way of breathing, then contact your doctor before beginning any lung strengthening program. Always take your time getting used to new exercises and make sure to warm up and cool down before performing cardiovascular training or yoga.

Things You'll Need

• Walking shoes
• Mint tea
• Zinc supplement
• Vitamin C supplement
• Omega-3 supplement

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Immediately stop smoking cigarettes, herbal tobacco, or any illegal drugs. It may take several weeks before you lungs begin to recover from smoking. It takes about seven years for your lungs to completely recover from the damage of long term smoking.

• 2

  Walk for thirty minutes at least three days a week. Slow down or take a break if you feel out of breath.

• 3

  Add time, intensity, or additional workouts to your regime. You may decide to jog instead of walking, to add hills to your walk, or to walk every day. Exercise improves lung function and helps you increase your lung capacity.

• 4

  Practice yoga at least once a week. Yoga forces you to focus on your breath and to practice deep breathing techniques. These techniques improve lung function and may even help decrease asthma symptoms.

• 5

  Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and zinc. Studies show that these medicines help increase lung function.

• 6

  Reduce your intake of dairy. Dairy causes your body to produce extra mucus, clogging the respiratory system. Sugar, caffeine, beer, wheat, and fried foods produce excess mucus in many patients. Reduce your intake of these foods for added benefit.

• 7

  Drink mint tea or whiff peppermint oil. The menthol in mint helps relieve congestion so you can breath properly. Congestion may cause you to take improper, shallow breaths. If you relieve congestion, you can practice deep breathing with more ease.