Conserving Energy and Managing Your Daily Activities

Morning symptoms like cough, sputum (phlegm or mucus) production and shortness of breath are common for people living with COPD. You may find mornings to be one of the most difficult times of the day and may experience more challenges with your morning routine. 

Tips for getting started with your day:

• Pace yourself in the morning.
• Take your time and rest as you move from one activity to another.
• Plan activities or medical appointments for later in the day so you do not have to rush your morning routine.
• Keep water on your nightstand. Water may help thin the sputum (phlegm or mucus).  
• Talk to your healthcare provider about when to take your daily COPD medication especially if you experience symptoms upon waking up.
• Bathe or shower in the evening to avoid additional use of energy in the morning.
• Lay out clothing the night before so you do not have to gather items in the morning.

If you have COPD, walking and using the stairs may cause shortness of breath. Whenever possible, try to limit the need to use the stairs, use an elevator or escalator. If you need to take the stairs, remember to pace yourself, rest when needed and practice pursed lip breathing. 

Tips for using the stairs:

• Breathe out or exhale as you take a step.
• Pace yourself as you are climbing up or going down the steps.
• If you are short of breath while using the stairs, rest and do purse lipped breathing until your breathing is under control. 
• If you are short of breath after using the stairs, find a safe place to lean against the wall or sit in a chair. Do pursed lip breathing. 
• Try to keep items that you use on the level of your home that they are used most often to avoid multiple trips up and down the stairs.

You may find bathing, showering and washing your hair can cause exertion or make you tired. Pace yourself as you get ready for the day and allow time to rest. Remember: bathrooms are also a place where you are more likely to fall on slippery floors. Use a non-slip mat in the tub and a rubber-backed rug for when you step out of the tub or shower.

Tips for bathing and grooming:

• Use assistive devices or durable medical equipment like a handheld showerhead, shower chair, tub transfer bench and grab bars. 
• Avoid excess humidity and steam. Use a bathroom exhaust fan, leave the bathroom door or window cracked open.
• If hot water or steam causes you to have shortness of breath, reduce the temperature of the water from hot to warm.
• Put on a terry cloth robe after bathing.
• Watch out for scented soaps or toiletries.
• Sit down when doing your hair, applying makeup or shaving. 
• If you experience accidental incontinence, purchase adult-incontinence products.

Dressing may cause exertion or make you more tired because you may find yourself lifting your arms over your head and bending over. The key is to plan what you are going to wear and use dress aids to reduce bending over.

Tips for dressing:

• Wear stretch fabrics or looser fitting clothes. Tighter fit clothes may make it harder to breathe and are challenging to put on and take off.
• Use dress aids like long handled shoehorns, a reacher or grabber, and sock aide to reduce bending over. 
• Layer up if temperature extremes bother you.
• Try slip-on or Velcro fastening shoes.
• Position yourself and sit down on your bed or chair to get dressed.
• Pace yourself and rest between putting on each item of clothing.

People living with COPD can and do have active and fulfilling sex lives. It is true that COPD can make many activities challenging, including being intimate. The key is communication with your partner. Discuss your fears and concerns, as well as any limitations you perceive having, openly with your loved one.

Tips for intimacy:

• Plan time for intimacy when you are rested.
• Experiment with other activities that are intimate, but require less movement and exertion such as caressing, hugging, massage and manual stimulation.
• Experiment with positions that require less energy.
• The partner who does not have COPD should make the majority of the movements.
• If you use an inhaled medicine before exercise, ask your doctor about also using the inhaled medicine before sexual activity. Have your short-acting medicine available, if needed, during sexual activity.
• Plan sexual activity when your long-acting medicine is at its peak.
• Ask your healthcare provider about increasing your oxygen flow rate during sexual activity.

Remember: Communication with your partner can ease many of your concerns about intimacy.

Caregiver Tip:

If your partner has COPD, they might be self-conscious during intimacy. You may need to offer some reassurance that it is fine for him or her to use oxygen or to take more passive positions during intimacy.

Prioritize and plan your housekeeping schedule for the week and do different activities on each day. Before you get started, gather all the items you need. Alternate days where you do activities that use less energy and activities that use more energy. Allow time to rest between each activity. If you are having trouble completing any housekeeping tasks, ask your friends or family for assistance.  

Tips for housekeeping:

• Plan your cleaning schedule throughout the week and allow time to rest. 
• Focus on cleaning during the time of day you have the most energy.
• Pick up clothes using a handy grabber reaching aid.
• Sit, if possible, to complete tasks such as folding laundry.
• Use a wheeled cart to move things around your home like laundry. Wheeled carts can also be used for shopping. 
• Avoid cleaning products that are aerosols or contain ammonia, bleach or other harmful chemicals. 
• Use a light weight, HEPA filtered vacuum

Plan your meals weekly. Before you get started, gather all your ingredients and cooking items. Keep spices or items you use often on the counter to avoid bending or reaching. 

Tips for meal preparation:

• Plan your meals and shopping list.
• Sit down during prep work like cutting or chopping.
• Use a slow cooker or cook using only one pan to make things easier.
• Keep frequently used items like pots, pans, utensils, and tableware on your stove range or counter instead of in cabinets.
• Focus on eating 5-6 small meals throughout the day.
• Make enough for left over meals. 
• Rest before cleaning up after meals.
• Leave dishes out to air dry or use a dishwasher if available to eliminate this extra clean-up step.

You may find shopping causes you to become short of breath and tired. Before you go shopping, plan what you need to buy by using a list. While you are at the store, pace yourself. If you are going grocery shopping, it may be helpful to know the layout of the store so you know what items you will pick up in each section of the store. Smaller grocery stores are easier to maneuver if you have this option.

Tips for shopping:

• Always bring your quick relief or rescue medicine and enough oxygen for your entire trip. If you have a portable oxygen concentrator, bring extra batteries or chargers. 
• Use the mobility device that has been recommended for you by your health care provider such as a walker, cane, scooter, or rollator to help you get around.
• Avoid the store’s busiest hours because you may spend more time waiting in lines and feel more rushed as you are walking around.
• Limit reaching or bending by asking for help if you need to reach something on a higher or lower shelf.
• Use a shopping cart whenever possible. A cart can help you position yourself upright which may help you breathe better, and you can use it to lean against if you need to rest. If you only need a few items, using a cloth grocery bag that you carry over your shoulder allows you to keep your hands free while you shop.
• Research grocery delivery companies in your area. You may be able to have your groceries delivered or shipped to you. 

Ask your friends or family to help with this task or assist with putting away your grocery items.

Managing COPD medication may be confusing especially if you are taking medication for more than one health condition. 

Tips for managing COPD medication:

• Keep a record of daily medications taken.
• Take medications at the same time every day.
• Ask a family member, caregiver, or pharmacist to help organize medication.
• Sign-up through your pharmacy for automatic refills or phone alerts when it is time to reorder. 
• Use a pillbox or if your pharmacy offers, use blister packages to manage your medications.
• If you use a nebulizer, store and use it in a place that you can get to easily. Find a space in your home that is comfortable and has a small table. 
• Use a medication tracker.
  

Oxygen is a safe gas and is not flammable, but it supports combustion. If you are using supplemental oxygen, always follow the safety instructions from your oxygen supply company. 

Tips for using supplemental oxygen safely:

• Be careful with oxygen tubing around the home it can be a trip hazard!
• Wear your oxygen canula in the shower or bath.
• Avoid electrical appliances and aerosols such as hair dryers, curling irons, heating pads, electric razors, and hair sprays while wearing oxygen.
• Watch out for lotions and creams that have petroleum jelly or are oil-based.
• Keep oxygen tanks away from gas sources including stoves, space heaters, electric and gas heaters. 

When going shopping, outside your home, or traveling, know how much oxygen you have remaining. Bring a backup portable oxygen tank with you when appropriate.