Whether it’s with regards to your boss’s deadline pressure, or your mom’s constant yelling to clean your room, stress has made a permanent display in the bookshelf of our lives.

 

As we progress more and more into the modern world of the 21st Century, we suffer from stress majorly.

 

However, the situation worsens when you have a chronic health condition on the side, especially respiratory ones.

 

Managing stress for such individuals is a crucial aspect of maintaining an overall good health, and handling yourself better. Chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms, and reduce lung function, which can completely restrict the lives of respiratory patients.

 

Reports from the American Lung Association, World Health Organization (WHO), as well as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), have repeatedly highlighted and cautioned against the detrimental effects of stress on respiratory patients.

 

The only way to deal with it? Becoming aware of the situation and taking preventive steps to manage it better.

 

 

Stress has a cascading impact on our bodies. It causes several physiological changes that trigger other health conditions.

 

Our bodies release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline when we experience stress.

 

These cause the airways to narrow, and makes it more difficult to breathe, which can eventually lead to hyperventilation, and rapid and shallow breathing, leading to depletion of oxygen levels in the blood.

 

Chronic stress is known to potentially weaken our immune system. That leads to being more susceptible to infections, including respiratory ones.

 

Several reports conducted by leading organisations have proved that individuals with asthma, COPD, etc, are more likely to experience stress-related symptoms- wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing.

 

 

Diaphragmatic breathing: Lie down or sit comfortably. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Inhale slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise. Exhale slowly, and feel your belly sink. Repeat this for 5-10 minutes.

 

Here’s a quick tutorial:

 

 

Guided Imagery: Find a quiet place. Close your eyes and imagine a calming scene, like a beach or a forest. Focus on the sights, sounds and sensations. Do this for 5-10 minutes.

 

Body Scan Meditation: Lie down or sit comfortably. Focus on your toes and gradually move up your body. Notice every sensation. If you find any tension, imagine it melting away.

 

 

Gentle yoga such as Child’s Pose, Bridge Pose, and Cat-Cow Pose can help alleviate stress. Tai Chi is also a proven technique to improve blood flow, balance and cardiovascular health. Simply walking for 30-minutes a day can also help.

 

 

Child’s Pose aka Balasana

 

Bridge Pose aka Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

 

Cat- Cow Pose aka Marjaryasana-Bitilasana

 

 

A balanced diet, adequate sleep and avoiding tobacco are essential to maintain a stress free life. Tobacco smoke damages the alveoli in the lungs, leading to emphysema, a condition where lungs lose their elasticity.

 

Substances like Khaini, Paan, Beedi and Gutka are also tobacco based products that can lead to increased risk of developing lung conditions. These are highly addictive, and it’s best to stay away at all times.

 

It is very important to connect with friends and family, and share your troubles. This can help you reduce your stress significantly. You can also refer to a therapist or counsellor for help. You could reach out to us at +91 8100 334353 (We’re available on WhatsApp in India as well as globally).

 

Implementing such simple, yet effective techniques can help alleviate stress and can help you manage your respiratory conditions better.