Remember to exercise those lungs while wearing a face mask
Exercising your lungs remains important during COVID-19 precautions ... Wearing masks really does help to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, but it is still important to exercise the lungs as well. Pictured above, left to right, are Chanice Larson and Stacie Radloff, both respiratory therapists at Veterans Memorial Hospital. They remind everyone wearing masks to exercise their lungs to prevent infections from settling by taking off the mask, getting some fresh air and taking up to five slow deep breaths at least once an hour. They also remind everyone to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated and still get regular exercise. Submitted photo.
Wearing masks has become a new norm and really does help to stop the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19. But the respiratory therapists at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon remind everyone wearing masks to still exercise the lungs.
“Don’t forget to take frequent deep breaths while wearing a mask to exercise the lungs,” stated Stacie Radloff, Respiratory Therapy Supervisor at Veterans Memorial Hospital. “It is important to exercise our lungs to prevent infections from settling. The best way to do this is to take your mask off, get some fresh air and take up to five slow deep breaths at least once an hour.”
Getting outside for some fresh air is preferable, according to the Respiratory Therapy department, but removing the mask indoors when distanced from others and taking the deep breaths is very effective as well.
Respiratory Therapist Chanice Larson at Veterans Memorial Hospital adds, “Don’t forget to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated. We need to be more conscious of this especially now with wearing the masks more often and removing them to take a drink,” adds Larson. “It’s important to always stay hydrated. With the humidity in the summer air and the humidity from wearing a mask - it can be dangerous to your body.”
And, as always, regular exercise is also highly recommended by the hospital’s respiratory therapists, not only for lung health, but for a person’s heart as well. For more information, contact the Respiratory Therapy Department at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-563-3411.
