Smoking is bad for your health and you should take steps to quit as soon as possible. However, if you have already stopped, you still need to alter your lifestyle to promote recovery of your lungs. The damage you have done to your lungs cannot be reversed immediately, but you can certainly use some tactics after quitting smoking. How to clean lungs is something you should know. It helps you recover from the damage caused by tobacco. Let’s find out what you can do.

How to Clean Lungs After Quitting Smoking 

It is normal to experience a nasty cough soon after you quit smoking. It is your body's way to clear your airway passages and clear any mucus buildup. Here are a few steps to help make things better.

1. Increase Your Intake of Fluids

It is important to drink plenty of water and fluids to keep your body hydrated. It also helps to detoxify your body. A good approach is to add a quarter cup of lemon juice to a glass of warm water and drink it before you have your breakfast. You can also enjoy a glass of cranberry or pineapple juice for equal effects. Here are a few more recommendations:

• Have some carrot juice between breakfast and lunch. You should be drinking at least 300ml to help alkalize your body.
• At lunchtime, you should enjoy some potassium rich drinks to promote detoxification. Some nice options are bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, carrots, sweet potato, spinach, tomatoes, dates, figs, and berries.
• Drink at least 400ml of cranberry or pineapple juice before you go to bed. This clears bacterial infections and boosts your lung capacity. Cranberry contains also contain antioxidants that are beneficial for your respiratory health.

2. Mind Your Diet

Your lungs need time to recover after quitting smoking. How to clean lungs fast for quicker recovery? You will have to make certain lifestyle changes. For starters, limit your intake of salt, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. It is equally important to ensure that you do not consume too much of processed or junk food. Cutting down the intake of dairy, sodas, meat, and wheat may also help.

Consider including foods in your diet that help improve the health of your lungs. Some herbs work amazingly well in this regard – some of the best options are avocados, rosemary, ginger, cayenne, thyme, and horseradish. Be sure to discuss everything with a dietician to ensure you are eating all the right stuff.

3. Drink Green Tea

Including green tea in your diet is another great move. With its high content of antioxidants, it helps get rid of free radicals. The presence of an antioxidant called catechins helps eliminate the mucosa accumulated by smoking. Moreover, it prevents oxidative damage to cells and lowers your risk of cancer. Many experts are of the view that you should be drinking three cups of green tea daily. You can start with a cup a day and then increase the quantity.

4. Improve Indoor Air Quality

Limit your exposure to chemicals, and take steps to improve the overall air quality in your home. Cut down the use of detergents, bleaches, air fresheners, and cleansers. This will greatly improve the quality of indoor air. Consider placing more plants in your house and make use of commercial air cleaners to promote cleaner and better air circulation.

5. Clean Your Home

You need to take steps to keep your home clean. Pay special attention to your carpets – they should be cleaned regularly or else they become breeding grounds for dust mites and other allergens. Ensure there is no dust on your books, shelves, and objects. It is also a good idea to avoid using any wood-burning stove you may have in your home because they release toxins in the air. Cleaning your home regularly will help keep things in perfect condition.  

6. Try Breathing Exercises

After quitting smoking how to clean lung? Perform specific breathing exercises. Doing this helps improve the functions of the lungs. You can learn different yoga poses that also focus on breathing through the diaphragm. At the same time, you can try relaxation techniques, like meditation, visualization, etc., to tackle stress and improve your lung capacity. To understand how to proceed, you can also get in touch with respiratory therapist.

7. Follow a Workout Program

Paying attention to what you eat is important but it is equally important to stay physically active. Following a good exercise routine will help improve the health of your lungs. You may still experience a cough, but it helps get rid of mucus and phlegm. Your lungs use this mechanism to get rid of toxins and unwanted substances. Regular exercise can surely help in this regard.

For idea of how your lungs will be like after quitting smoking, read this: Lungs After Quitting Smoking