Breathing techniques to use during poor air quality conditions from Wildfire Smoke and Air Pollution

1. Inhale and exhale through your nose.

The nose was designed to filter particles on inhale and return moisture to the nasal cavity during exhale. Anyone with asthma or preexisting respiratory conditions, it is critical to keep the airways moist to avoid constriction, drying and cracking of the airways which lead to further inflammation and exacerbated symptoms.

2. Reduce the volume of air intake.

By slowing down your respiratory rate and reducing the volume of air on each breath by softening the breath you will be successful in reducing the amount of toxins and particles being introduced to the body.

3. Use your diaphragm Nasal breathing for the most part will facilitate or lead to diaphragmatic breathing.

Diaphragmatic breathing is beneficial to the health of every one of your body systems. As your heart is the pump for your circulatory system the diaphragm is the pump for your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing toxins and impurities from the body to ensure a strong and healthy immune system.

During this time of some of the worst air quality in the world from forest fires up and down the West Coast and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic we should do as much as we can to boost and maintain a healthy immune system. View the rest of the website for more information and advice on breathing techniques, exercises and optimal respiratory health.

I hope the breathing techniques and breathing advise will be helpful for you and I would like to send positive thoughts and best wishes to all the firefighters and everyone being effected by the forest fires.