Lung capacity refers to the amount of air associated with different phases of the respiratory cycle. The average lung capacity in an adult is roughly six liters of air, but only a portion of that capacity is used when breathing at a normal pace. While there are some physical mental activities that you can do to increase this capacity, certain factors, such as your height and the altitude at which you live, can alter your overall lung capacity.
Step 1
Take multiple deep breaths before beginning your exercising routine. Slowly start increasing the length and difficulty of your workouts, be it cardio or weight lifting. Your lungs will expand automatically to help you with your increased workout difficulty.
Step 2
Practice underwater running, which is a cardiovascular way to increase your lung capacity. Include swimming laps in your exercise regimen. Swimming requires an increased lung capacity to cover longer distances under water.
Step 3
Practice yoga, which consists of breathing exercises. According to Deepak Chopra, who practices in the field of mind-body healing and is the founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, practicing yoga increases your endurance power. One routine starts by lying flat on your bed and placing one hand on your stomach and the other hand on your chest. Inhale slowly, drawing in as much air as you can. Hold your breath and count to three, then exhale all the air equally and slowly.
Step 4
Stop smoking. If you don't smoke, don't start. According to Singapore General Hospital, smoking cigarettes shrinks your lungs, as well as being the main cause of lung cancer. When you smoke cigarettes, it not only affects your lungs, but it also affects the lungs of those who are around you.
Step 5
Control your temper and try to take as much stress away from your life as possible. According to Dr. Elaine R. Ferguson, M.D., a holistic medicine physician and author of "Healing, Health and Transformation: New Frontiers in Medicine," long-term anger can actually shrink your lungs.
References
- Sing Health: Lung Cancer
- Upgrade Your Body: How to Increase Lung Capacity
- Elaine R. Ferguson, MD, Family Physician, Bedford Park, IL
- Chopra: About Deepak
