Natural ways to cleanse your lungs after quitting smoking
Good job on quitting smoking! However, can the damage be reversed? Long story short, the damage that smoking caused to your lungs all this while won't go away completely and this soon. But don't worry! There's still some hope with things you can do to prevent more damage and make your lungs healthier. And believe us, these exercises are doable and effective.
Drink warm fluids
Drinking warm liquids like green tea, broth, or hot water can help thin the mucus, making it easier to clear it from your airways. This is especially effective in helping you get rid of smoke-induced coughs. Green tea, in particular, has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help protect your lungs from certain diseases.
Exercise
Engaging in regular exercise is one of the greatest ways to preserve and enhance your lung function, especially after quitting smoking. Even a simple walk outdoors can work wonders by keeping the air sacs in your lungs open. When these sacs remain open, they can efficiently exchange oxygen, delivering it to the necessary parts of your body.
Take in steam
Steam adds warmth and moisture to the air, helping to loosen mucus in the airways and lungs. It also provides immediate relief from inflammations and promotes easier breathing. While steam therapy is a promising temporary solution, further research is needed to fully understand its long-term benefits on lung health. You can take steam once a day to start with.
Controlled coughing
Even after quitting smoking, you might still have a lot of mucus stuck in your lungs. This mucus buildup can continue even after you stop smoking. Try controlled coughing, a technique that can help keep your lungs healthier. It allows your body to get rid of toxins trapped in mucus, unblocks those smaller airways, and opens them up to get oxygen.
Anti-inflammatory foods
Eating foods that fight inflammation can help keep your lungs healthy after quitting smoking. Inflammation can make it hard to breathe and cause chest congestion. Include anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, leafy greens, cherries, blueberries, olives, walnuts, beans, and lentils in your diet. These foods can reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms, supporting better lung health thereon.
Chest percussion
Chest percussion is a method that can help keep your lungs healthier by getting rid of extra mucus. A healthcare professional or respiratory therapist will gently tap on your chest with their cupped hand. This tapping helps loosen and remove trapped mucus in your lungs. Chest percussion is a helpful way to maintain healthier lungs and improve your breathing after quitting smoking.
