Cold Weather and Your Lungs: 4 Ways to Stay Healthy this Winter

When the temperature drops, your lungs can feel it. Cold, dry air can irritate your airways, making it harder to breathe, especially if you have a breathing disorder like asthma, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).

At Respacare in Bridgewater, New Jersey, our pulmonologists, Dr. Nehal Mehta and Dr. Preshant Patel, specialize in helping patients manage their breathing disorders throughout the year. Here, we share practical tips on how to keep your lungs healthy this winter and beyond.

1. Keep the airway moist and warm

Do your lungs hurt when you breathe in cold air? That’s because cold air is typically dry, which can irritate your airways and trigger coughing. It can also cause the respiratory muscles to constrict, making it harder to catch your breath.

To protect your lungs:

Breathe through your nose
Wear a scarf or face mask outdoors
Use a humidifier indoors

These steps are especially important for people with a breathing disorder. Studies show that people with respiratory conditions are more likely to need emergency care during the colder months.

2. Improve indoor air quality

Since you spend more time indoors in the winter, the quality of the air inside your home matters. Dry, dusty, or smoky air can aggravate your lungs.

Keep your indoor air clean and comfortable by:

Using air purifiers with HEPA filters
Avoiding smoking, strong chemicals, and scented candles
Vacuuming and dusting regularly

Cleaner air indoors helps your lungs function better, which may improve overall comfort and energy during the winter.

3. Maintain your active lifestyle

Cold weather may hinder your desire to work out, but regular exercise strengthens your lungs and helps manage conditions like asthma and COPD.

If you enjoy outdoor exercise, dress in layers, cover your mouth and nose, and warm up before starting. However, if temperatures are extremely low or pollution levels are high, do your workout inside.

Try body weight exercises like lunges or crunches, stream a workout video, or go to the gym. Even moderate movement can go a long way toward keeping your lungs strong and healthy.

4. Take steps to support lung health

Your overall wellness is a factor that contributes to lung health. You want to take steps to protect your health, such as:

Getting your annual flu shot
Eating a nutrient-rich diet
Staying hydrated
Prioritizing sleep

When your body is nourished, rested, and protected, your lungs function better, too.

If the cold weather makes your breathing symptoms worse, don’t wait to get help. At Respacare, our skilled lung health specialists can help you manage your condition and breathe easier all season long.

Call us today or request an appointment online.