Your respiratory health is extremely important. The longer your lungs remain in good shape, the longer you’ll be able to stay independent and active. Even people with respiratory disorders and concerns have learned that exercise is the key to pulmonary health, and exercise isn’t off limits to anyone.

This post will list 5 different exercise types that will improve and maintain your respiratory health, as well as list other benefits you’ll enjoy from engaging in them.

Walking

Daily 10-15 minute walks might seem like a small, inconsequential thing but they’re not. In fact, a short walk every day can vastly improve your respiratory health. Don’t overwork or overstress yourself even on shorter walks, simply walk quickly enough to break a bit of a sweat and increase your heart rate. If you can still talk to a walking partner comfortably at a brisk pace then you are in a perfect place. Walking is gentle, low-impact and accessible to anyone with sufficient mobility. In addition to strengthening your lungs, walking will help you reduce weight, lower your blood pressure, improve your mood and decrease your risk factor for several serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

Running

Once you’ve started walking every day, you might want to move on to running or jogging. There are plenty of exercise types you can engage in for a good cardio workout, but running is among the best. Like walking, it’s generally accessible to most people and requires very little training. Many studies suggest that it’s the best exercise for your health and lungs. Many websites offer great running schedules for beginners and experts alike, so there’s no shortage of advice for any skill level. As with walking, running should improve your fitness, stamina and energy level while also reducing your chances of contracting many conditions and diseases.

Social Sports

Social sports such as racquetball, disc golf, golf and basketball are a great way to exercise and keep your lungs in shape. These activities allow you to hang out with friends while simultaneously having fun and exercising. Due to the nature of sports, make sure that If you have any breathing conditions or concerns that you pack a portable respiratory aid to suit your needs. Also, if you don’t have anyone to play these sports with, there should be a multitude of local leagues for each of them. These workout ideas combine aerobic exercise with the fun of playing a friendly game. Disc golf might seem like a walk in the park, but think about all of the terrain you’re going to cover while throwing those discs. Have fun while you work out!

Lung Exercises

Lung exercises directly enhance lung stamina, capacity and function. Most people that are not athletes don’t engage in them regularly, but they are highly beneficial and easy enough that anyone can do them. If you can’t engage in lung exercises every day then doing them three times a week should yield good results. There are many online tutorials that fully explain a plethora of different lung strengthening exercises, and most of them are quite easy and enjoyable. Lung exercises allow you to breathe better and easier whether you’re engaged in exercise or going through your daily life.

Tai-Chi

Tai-Chi isn’t some extravagant, esoteric and florid exercise for new age people and eccentric gurus—it’s a 2000 year old art that’s accessible to anyone willing to learn. It allows you to concentrate on your breathing and learn about how your body works. It’s soothing and stress-free. It might bring you more muscular benefits than pulmonary benefits, but doing Tai-Chi is an ideal way to increase your capacity for relaxation and peace of mind. Couples with more aerobic exercises, you’ll see a drastic change in your overall health. Most experts recommend finding a Tai-Chi instructor, there are many books and videos out there to get you started.

Lungs are often neglected in favor of weight loss and muscular gain, but they are extremely important to your long-term health. Even people with respiratory conditions should consider these exercises and find a way to fit at least one or two of them into their daily schedule. As always, ask your doctor if you’re concerned about starting any of these routines. With a little bit of committed time and effort on your part, your lungs should stay healthy for many years to come.

Ken Stanfield is a writer, blogger and health enthusiast who spends his time researching and writing about respiratory health, healthcare, geriatric healthcare needs and humanitarianism. He is an online producer for the nebulizer systems supplier justnebulizers.com