A Daily Routine to Conserve Energy with COPD

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PRESENTS

Drink water to help clear mucus. Place a glass of water near the bed before you go to bed. Take your time as you start morning activities. Keep the morning free of appointments.

Waking up

BEDROOM

BATHROOM

KITCHEN

LIVING ROOM

LAUNDRY ROOM

OUTDOORS

Keep a chair next to the bed so you can stay seated while straightening bed sheet corners. Use fewer layers of linen so there’s less to place on the bed, such as one top sheet and a duvet instead of several blankets.

Making the bed

Choose loose-fit clothing. Try to dress while seated. Use aids such as sock grabbers and shoe horns to limit exertion and bending over. Lay out clothes when you feel less fatigued, so you don’t have to select them in the morning.

Getting dressed

A bathtub seat can help reduce the time you spend standing. A handheld shower head can help you rinse your hair without bringing your arms above your head. Consider a grab bar to help get in and out of the shower and a terry cloth robe to limit towel drying.

Showering

Place a “cleans with every flush” cleaner inside the toilet bowl so you can spend less time scrubbing. Use the bathroom fan and open doors and windows to prevent condensation buildup.

Cleaning

Sit on the toilet seat with the lid closed to do your hair and makeup. Place a mirror on a table or stand in the bathroom so you don’t have to stay standing. If scents aggravate your COPD, look for sensitive skin or unscented brands.

Grooming

Try to make one-pot meals to limit cleanup. Sit down to do prep work like chopping vegetables. Cook enough for several meals and pack away the excess to store in the refrigerator.

Cooking

Plan your grocery shopping by making a list so you can move in and out of the store quickly. Try to know the store layout ahead of time so you don’t waste energy going down many aisles. You may also consider using a grocery delivery service.

Grocery shopping

Let your dishes air dry, or use a dishwasher to avoid expending energy with hand drying. Let pots soak instead of scrubbing. Choose unscented dish soap to avoid COPD triggers. Keep the pots and pans you use the most on the stovetop rather than putting them away.

Dishes

Take your time with stairs. Practice pursed lip breathing if you feel short of breath. Place a chair at the top and bottom of the stairs to rest. Try to avoid carrying items between floors and keep items on the level that you normally use them.

Going up and down stairs

Use a lightweight vacuum that you find manageable to carry. Choose a HEPA filter for air quality. Pace yourself while cleaning. If you can, break it up into smaller tasks and do more on days you have more energy. Avoid cleaning products with chemicals or strong scents that might trigger COPD symptoms.

Housekeeping

Arrange furniture in a way that serves multiple purposes, like relaxing to watch television or sharing coffee with guests. Having a flexible layout prevents you from having to reorganize the room according to the day’s activities.

Relaxing

Use front-loading machines to avoid bending down. Keep a reach-and-grab tool handy to transfer clothes between machines. Take out several pieces of clothes at a time to limit the number of times you need to go back and forth.

Taking clothes out of machines

Use the cart with wheels to move the folded laundry. Try to place the clothing in the cart grouped by family members so you don’t have to go back and forth between rooms. Take a break if you cannot put it all away in one trip.

Putting clothes away

Sit at a table to fold laundry. Take breaks when you need to. As you fold, transfer clothes into a cart with wheels. Keep the clothes on the folding table or in the cart if you don’t have the energy to put them away right away.

Folding

Try to engage in light physical activity. Healthy eating and regular exercise can help you to manage COPD fatigue. Consider a gentle walk around your home, doing yoga, or tai chi exercises.

Exercise

Keep yard or maintenance tools on industrial shelves in the garage or outside the home. Place items at arm’s length to avoid reaching up or bending over. Keep a log of regular maintenance so you can plan to do tasks on days you have more energy.

Maintenance

Choose low-maintenance plants and landscaping features. Use a garden stool to sit while you perform ground maintenance. Consider mowing the lawn in sections, stopping to rest in between.

Yardwork