Breathing exercises during Covid-19

Covid-19 comes with all sorts of inflammation in the lungs and airways, in most of the cases. For some, these breathing problems can be mild, while for others can pose a real threat.

Knowing some breathing techniques and doing some specific deep breathing exercises can help you strengthen the lung function, restore the diaphragm function, and clear your lungs.

Standing deep breathing:

• stand up and place your hands on the sides of your stomach; close your lips; place the tongue on the roof of the mouth; inhale and exhale through your nose; repeat for one minute.

Sitting deep breathing

• sit on the edge of the chair; place your hands on the sides of your stomach; close your lips; put your tongue on the rooftop of your mouth; inhale and slowly exhale; repeat for one minute.

On your back deep breathing

• lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the ground; place one hand on the chest and one on the stomach; close your lips; place your tongue on the rooftop of your mouth; inhale and slowly exhale; repeat for one minute.

Practicing deep breathing throughout the day helps you in multiple ways:

• it gets more oxygen into your lungs, clearing the path of mucus and fluids
• increases lung capacity and gets more oxygen into the bloodstream
• reduces stress and anxiety
• strengthens the primary respiratory muscle – the diaphragm

“Blow the candle” breathing technique

The pursed lip breathing technique is another helpful way of increasing lung capacity and getting more oxygen into the body. Another amazing thing about pursed lip breathing is that it keeps your airways open longer.

All you need to do is find a relaxing sitting position, with your neck and shoulders fully relaxed, then start breathing slowly through your nostrils while your lips are closed (count till 5 while inhaling), and exhale through your mouth as if you were blowing a candle. The most important thing about this breathing technique is to exhale for a longer period of time than you did while inhaling (you’ve counted to 5 when inhaled air, so count to 7 or 8 when exhaling). Repeat for a couple of times.

Try it out yourself and soon you’ll see the benefits of a correct, deep breathing.