Your lungs have an important function. You need them to breathe. If your body doesn’t get enough oxygen, you’re more prone to a number of health problems, from respiratory illnesses to heart disease. After age 35, lung function naturally begins to decline but there are steps you can take to expand your lung capacity and keep your lungs healthier.

Here are 6 things you can do to improve the health of your lungs:

1. Don’t smoke. Smoking is the worst thing you can do for your lungs. Secondhand smoke is also harmful.
2. Stay active. When you move more, you help improve the health of your lungs. Aerobic exercise can improve your lung capacity so aim for a minimum of 20 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every day. It doesn’t matter if you take a brisk walk, ride your bike or play a game of tennis. Aerobic activity is aerobic activity when it comes to your lungs.
3. Avoid pollutants when exercising. Environmental pollutants can harm your lungs so avoid exercising when there is an ozone-alert and steer clear of areas with a lot of air pollution. During aerobic exercise, you’re more likely to breathe deeply and this draws pollutants into your lungs.
4. Stretch. Yoga poses that open the chest area can help expand your lung capacity. The bridge pose is a good one to try.
5. Breathe deeply. Practice deep breathing techniques by focusing on lowering your diaphragm muscles as you inhale. Then expand your ribs and upper chest. When you exhale, do the reverse. Let the chest fall, contract your ribs and then lift your diaphragm muscles to get rid of the last bit of air. This will help you increase lung capacity.
6. Laugh. A good chuckle is not only good for the soul, but it’s good for your lungs. When you laugh, you force stale air out of your lungs and allow fresh air to enter.

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