Goal setting Start with something simple which you can achieve within a short time Goal setting allows you to think about what you want to achieve in the short or long term. Goals give you something to aim towards and help to keep you motivated. First of all ask yourself – What is a reasonable […]
You have started by using this website. There are lots of sections on My Lungs My Life to give you information, advice and support. Take a closer look at each of the lists on the COPD topics page. You can dip in and out of My Lungs My Life whenever you have a new question […]
Self management is about: Understanding your COPD and how it affects you. The positive things you can do to improve your health and wellbeing. Small changes can make a big difference. Having the confidence to manage your COPD day to day. Being able to make informed choices and decisions about your life and health. Including […]
Plan your day; use diaries / timetables to balance activities with quieter times / rest to manage your symptoms. Listen to your body – watch out for, and use, warning signs to set limits. Don’t keep going with something “just to get it finished” if your body is telling you to stop. Remember symptoms can […]
Anxiety is an emotion not only effects our bodies. It also impacts on out thoughts and what we do at these times (our behaviours). This chain of events is often described as the ‘Vicious cycle of Anxiety’ and can be seen in the diagram:
Pulmonary Rehabilitation programmes vary: Some ask you to attend twice a week for around 6 weeks. Some ask you to attend once a week for around 10 weeks. The exercises will be tailored to your abilities and you will be supervised and encouraged by the team on what you can achieve. You will be advised […]
“I found ongoing friendship and mutual support from joining local groups “ “The way to keep moving forward is to talk to others living with same condition” “Look on internet, but only at the good stuff, e.g. Chest Heart & Stroke, British Lung Foundation, as lots of scary stuff out there!” “In some situations you’re […]
You also need to be open to accepting help when it is offered. Explain that you will let family and friends know when you will take up their offer to help even though you don’t need it yet. If you keep on refusing help when it is offered family and friends may stop asking. Self […]
The amount of time you spend face to face with individual health and social care professionals is very limited. A GP appointment lasts on average between 6 and 10 minutes. So when you do see a health and social care professional go prepared. This will make the most of your time with the healthcare professional. […]
Try thinking about how your COPD affects you physically, emotionally and socially. At different times these three parts in your life may be more or less important. There may be times when all three parts are having an impact on how you are coping. Once you know how these affect you, telling this to others […]
