Eco-Friendly Summer Plans In Our New Normal
Marc My Words: Letter from President and CEO
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Over the past few weeks, I’ve been getting used to a new normal: working from home, wearing a facemask, celebrating birthdays from a parade of cars, and spending time with friends and family through online video chats. Despite these changes, I’ve been lucky by being smart and safe. Social distancing, avoiding crowded areas and social distancing when they unavoidable, wearing a mask, and washing my hands regularly are now habits. But despite this, many people are still not getting used to this sometimes frightening and always unusual situation. That’s why we at BREATHE LA are working hard to develop new, virtual programming to help those with lung conditions that make them more vulnerable if they contract the coronavirus. After a brief adjustment period, most of our programs are up and running virtually and I’m proud of the ways that we are able to safely reach those whom we serve.
We have several exciting, online events coming up this month that we are really looking forward to, such as today’s virtual Lung Power™ workshop happening at 11am via Facebook Live that you can join from the comfort of your own space. We’re eager to help those with asthma recognize their asthma symptoms, identify and avoid asthma triggers, prevent and manage asthma attacks, and create and implement an asthma action plan.
We would not be able to plan such incredible and beneficial programming without the everyday support that we receive from all of you. Giving Tuesday just passed and we were delighted by the generous contributions to our organization, embracing families affected by lung disease and bringing us all one-step closer to living our safest and healthiest lives. If you did not get a chance to contribute on Giving Tuesday, you can make a donation here as well as keep up on all that we do by following us on social media at @BREATHELAC and me at @mcarrel. Visit our BREATHE LA website here for updates and continue to stay safe.
In Health,
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Marc Carrel
President & CEO
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BREATHE LA Lung Health Corner
Tips for Strengthening Your Lungs from Home
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As most of us are still at home, doing our part to beat this pandemic, some of us have decided to use the time to brush up on old skills and pick up new hobbies. I suggest we also use this time to improve our lung health.
Below are some exercises that you can do from home that will help strengthen the lungs. While these techniques will not change your overall lung capacity, they can be extremely helpful in allowing your lungs to work more efficiently.
1. Pursed lip breathing: Sit up straight and inhale deeply through your nose in a slow and controlled fashion. Purse your lips so that they are almost touching. Exhale through your pursed lips, taking twice as long as you did during your inhalation.
2. Diaphragmatic (belly) breathing: Rest your hand on your stomach and inhale slowly through your nose, noting how far your stomach rises. Exhale through your mouth, taking two or three times as long as your inhalation. With each inhalation, try to get your stomach to rise higher than it did with the previous breath. Periodically roll your shoulders forward and backward and move your head from side to side to ensure that you are not tensing up in your upper body.
3. Breath focus technique: Deep breathing is the foundation of breath focus. Sit down and then alternate normal and deep breaths several times. Pay attention to how you feel when you inhale and exhale normally and when you breathe deeply. Shallow breathing often feels tense and constricted, while deep breathing produces relaxation.
These are just a few of many helpful exercises that can strengthen your lungs. For additional information and resources on breathing techniques, visit our website at breathela.org.
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Programs Spotlight:
Virtual Lung Power on Facebook Live!
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We are rolling out our Lung Power™ program online to help keep asthmatic children and their families healthy during the COVID-19 crisis while they are home.
BREATHE LA is hosting a virtual Lung Power™ workshop via Facebook Live TODAY, May 20th at 11am PT, with in-depth asthma management information provided for all attendees. To attend, simply visit Facebook.com/breathelac and join in.
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Our Community Partners:
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
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BREATHE LA has partnered with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to provide energy efficiency education and raise lung health awareness for Los Angeles communities during these uncertain times.
These virtual presentations will provide information on air pollution’s effect on our lungs, cost-saving solutions for lowering energy bills, and tips to make our homes and appliances energy efficient to save money and save energy. All webinar participants are eligible to receive a FREE LED lightbulb kit to support a greener Los Angeles.
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Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) & BREATHE LA want to help you stay safer at home during the coronavirus pandemic. Visit here for more COVID-19 resources and to report any power outages in LA County visit ladwp.com/outages.
If you would like more information on how to participate in our LADWP webinars, please reach out to Risha Parada at [email protected].
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We Continue to Support Local LA County Communities Now!
Lung health is critical during this COVID-19 pandemic
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Click here now to donate now and make a difference during this health crisis. Your gift makes our work possible as we continue to serve our community virtually and through other methods during the COVID-19 crisis.
Give now to make an impact immediately, through one of the below steps:
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Online here
- By mail at: BREATHE California of Los Angeles County, 5858 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- By phone at: (323) 935-8050 ext. 247 (with a credit card)
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