A Daily Routine to Conserve Energy with COPD
END TOUR
A Daily Routine to Conserve Energy with COPD
ENTER ROOM
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
BEDROOM
BATHROOM
LIVING ROOM
KITCHEN
Laundry Room
BASEMENT
16 Tips to Make
Your Home
Asthma-Friendly
END TOUR
LIVING ROOM
BATHROOM
BEDROOM
BASEMENT
KITCHEN
ATTIC
Install insulation
Choose asthma-friendly insulation that helps prevent mold and mildew growth.
Keeping furry pets off your bed (or out of your bedroom) can help decrease your exposure to pet fur and dander.
Keep pets off your bed
Run your bathroom exhaust fan or open a window while showering to help remove moisture from the air.
Run the exhaust fan
Use a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter to clean carpets, area rugs, furniture, and floors.
Vacuum regularly
Use caulk to seal cracks or openings around foundations, baseboards, windows, and doors. This can help keep out pests and other outdoor triggers.
Seal cracks
A Daily Routine to Conserve Energy with COPD
ENTER ROOM
PRESENTS
ENTER ROOM
Keeping humidity levels under 50% can help prevent mold and mildew. Use a tool called a hygrometer to check humidity levels regularly.
Check humidity levels
On high pollen days, keep the windows closed. If it’s hot, you can use air conditioning or fans.
Close the windows
Dust mites and pet dander can cling to fabric and cloth. Choose items that are washable and easy to clean, and use slipcovers on any fabric furniture.
Reduce fabric items.
Dry your damp or wet towels, washcloths, or other items within 24 to 48 hours to help prevent mold growth.
Keep towels dry
Check your shower, tub, sink, toilet, and cabinets, and remove any mold you may find.
Look for mold
Food and water sources can attract pests. Clean dishes, crumbs, or spills right away, and keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean and clutter-free.
Clear off surfaces
Water leaks can allow mold to grow behind walls and under floors. Fix any leaks as soon as you can.
Fix leaks
Allergen-proof mattresses and pillow covers can create a barrier between you and potential asthma triggers, such as pet dander and dust mites.
Use allergen covers
Wash your bedding weekly in soapy, hot water of at least 130ºF (54ºC) and let it dry completely.
Wash your bedding
Clean out your roof gutters each season to help remove debris.
Keep gutters clear
Store food in airtight containers and keep trash in a closed container to help keep out cockroaches and other pests.
Use airtight containers
![](https://media-s3-us-east-1.ceros.com/healthline/images/2024/03/21/f55a3622b00cc9e96f5619a3e1afa139/artwork-5.png)