As a leading supporter of cardiopulmonary health in Wolcott, CT, the caring team at Wolcott View Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center offers high-quality health services to keep their patients’ hearts and lungs as strong as possible. For sufferers of lung conditions such as asthma and COPD, it’s particularly important to achieve optimal heart and lung health. One way to do so is by implementing breathing exercises into your routine. Here, the caring rehab center professionals share two exercises and explain how each one benefits cardio and respiratory health.

One strategic practice for opening up the airways is pursed lip breathing. To try it, breathe in through your nose, keeping your lips pursed. When breathing out (also through your nose), spend twice as much time exhaling as you did inhaling. This slow, concentrated form of breathing promotes heart and lung health by keeping the airways open for a longer period of time than shorter breaths would.

Belly breathing is another exercise you can use to improve your breathing technique. Beginners may experience the best results from this particular exercise while lying down. To start, take a deep breath through the nose. While doing so, place your hands on your belly, taking note of how it fills with air as you inhale. This time, breathe out through your mouth, exhaling for two to three times the duration of your inhale.

These practices are powerful because they help the lungs and diaphragm become more effective, which makes breathing easier as a result. Your airways open and shut, but when they’re not functioning well due to asthma or COPD, stale air gets trapped inside. This leaves limited space for your diaphragm to pull in fresh air. Consequently, it becomes necessary to recruit the neck, back, and chest in the breathing process. Over time, this labored form of breathing leads to strains and discomfort.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a rehabilitation program to promote heart and lung health, call Wolcott View Manor Health & Rehabilitation Center at (203) 879-8066. You can also visit their website for more details about their services.