Pandemic preparations: Improving lung health.

Garry Y. Itkin continues to do whatever he can do to help in the battle against COVID-19. Today, he shares some very important tips on activities that people can do to improve overall lung and heart health, which is key, especially given the fact that the virus targets both these vital organs.

Regular cardio

Even if it’s just jogging in place, raising one’s heart rate can do wonders for both the lungs and heart. Cardio exercises promote the excellent circulation of both blood and oxygen. Garry Y. Itkin mentions that people can go slow at first, especially those who are doing cardio exercises for the first time. Then they can gradually increase the intensity, and maybe even do full-on high-intensity interval training, or HIIT when they’ve ramped up their fitness levels.

Breathing exercises

Several breathing exercises found on the internet are pretty effective, Garry Y. Itkin notes. While breathing exercises may seem mundane at first, because it’s something people do every second of every minute, they require effort from the lungs. They expand and contract and strengthen the lungs. Inhaling steam while doing these exercises makes it twice as effective.

Sleep

Sleep may probably be the most overlooked activity in health and fitness. Garry Y. Itkin explains that in sleep, the body repairs itself. The lack of a good night’s rest can have negative effects on the body that can range from mild to severe. At least seven hours of sleep should do the trick.