COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a chronic lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. Some common symptoms of COPD include a feeling of tightness in the chest, feeling short of breath, having mucus buildup in the lungs, and shortness of breath.

The following five breathing exercises can help condition your lungs. Perform them up to three or four times per day for ten minutes each session.

1. Puckered Lip Breathing can reduce shortness of breath.
The steps for puckered lip breathing are:
1. Close your mouth.
2. Inhale through your nostrils for two counts.
3. Pucker your lips as if you’re about to blow out a candle.
4. Exhale through your puckered lips slowly for four counts.

2. Coordinated Breathing can calm you by keeping you from holding your breath.
To practice coordinated breathing:
1. Close your mouth.
2. Breathe in through your nostrils before beginning an exercise.
3. Pucker the lips.
4. Breathe out with your mouth closed during the most challenging portion of an exercise. An excellent example of this kind of moment is before lifting the dumbbell during a biceps curl.

3. Deep Breathing can increase the amount of air you inhale during each breath.
To perform deep breathing:
1. Stand or sit with your elbows placed near your back so your chest can expand as much as possible.
2. Close your mouth.
3. Breathe in deeply through your nostrils.
4. Count to five while you hold your breath.
5. Slowly breathe out of the nostrils to empty your lungs of as much air as possible.

4.Huff Cough is a less tiring method of coughing up mucus.
To Huff Cough:
1. Sit in a comfortable chair.
2. Inhale through the mouth, trying to take in a little more air than you would for a regular breath.
3. Exhale through the mouth while saying “ha, ha, ha.” While vocalizing, try to squeeze your belly button toward your spine. Attempt to squeeze as much air as possible from your lungs, as if you’re steaming up a mirror.

5.Diaphragmatic Breathing can strengthen the diaphragm, the major muscle for breathing.
To practice diaphragmatic breathing:
1. Sit or lie down.
2. Relax your shoulders.
3. Place one hand on your breast and the other on your abdomen.
4. Breathe in for two counts through your nostrils. Work to raise your abdomen to a higher level than your breast.
5. Pucker the lips.
6. Breathe out through the mouth slowly while gently pressing down on your abdomen. Focus on releasing as much air as possible.

If you routinely perform these five breathing exercises, you can feel short of breath less often and improve the quality of your life.