Lifestyle Tips to Manage Asthma
People with asthma may have trouble breathing due to narrower airways. They can fall short of breath, which means they have to stay cautious. A proactive lifestyle can make it easier to manage asthma. Simple things like staying away from smoke, being active, or taking time off to meditate, can go a long way in keeping your asthma in check. Here are some lifestyle tips for managing asthma that can make a difference.
- Include veggies and fruits in your diet
Leafy vegetables like spinach have antioxidants that may reduce asthma symptoms. It is concentrated with vitamins and nutrients which have anti-inflammatory properties. It may ease out the swelling in your nasal passages. In the fruit category, berries are packed with fiber and antioxidants too. And you have a variety of choices. Cherries, blackberries, and strawberries may reduce asthma symptoms. Pomegranates are also known to reduce inflammation and keep your lungs healthy. A lifestyle that incorporates a healthy diet plan can manage asthma better. - Exercise
Exercising improves lung health as it increases lung capacity. With more exercise, the amount of oxygen used up by your body increases. This makes for better breathing function too and eases asthma symptoms. Those with exercise-induced asthma should consult the doctor before starting an exercise routine. Usually, asthma shouldn’t stop you from exercising. Start with small activities and then build it up slowly. - Steer clear from smoke
Smoke is dangerous for your lungs, as it can be extremely irritable to your nasal passages. It can swell them up, making them narrower than they were. This reduces the amount of air that reaches your lungs. So, avoid smoke of all kinds. Stay away from tobacco, fireworks, fires, and even candles. Skip restaurants that don’t have smoke-free dining areas. If you’re addicted to smoking cigarettes, seek help to quit them. This is a lifestyle choice that is a must if you have asthma. Smoke can quickly worsen your case, so it’s better to avoid it at all costs. - Meditate
Meditation relieves your mind and body from stress. Getting too worked up due to emotional stress can trigger your asthma. But, regular mindful breathing can calm you. It promotes a regulated supply of oxygen in the body. By keeping the sense of suffocation at bay, it lets you relax. Meditating daily is a way to practice controlled breathing too. At the onset of an asthma attack, your mind will know that you can control your breath. This will reduce anxiety and panic in the situation. - Beware of triggers
An asthma attack can be triggered by dust mites, fur from pets, perfumes, molds, or some chemical in the air. Note down all such triggers that you may come across. Avoid them when you can. You can also take certain precautions. Get a dehumidifier for your home. It lessens the humidity level so that molds don’t grow on surfaces. Also, having a rescue inhaler can help if there’s a sudden unforeseen trigger. This a proactive lifestyle choice to help you manage asthma efficiently.