Welcome to the Book of 2023
As much as I love the holidays, it is always nice to know they are coming to an end. There is too much hustle and bustle and bad weather conditions, and it’s the coldest time of the year. I want to get back to my normal routine.
The New Year can trigger us to consider starting new at almost everything. We are encouraged to have do-overs, take another chance, pick a new choice or go for a change.
For me, the new year is like the wonderful aroma of opening a never touched, brand-new book and having a pencil that has never been used. Whatever this book is, whatever information it stores will be because of me. Only I can control what fills the book of 2023.
Finding hobbies to occupy your time
Ask yourself what you are doing to keep your mind busy and your thoughts off COPD and its accompanying symptoms. How do you keep busy when the days are too dark and cold to enjoy?
What are your hobbies? You do a hobby because you want to, not because you have to. One of the best ways to manage your shortness of breath and COPD symptoms is to stop concentrating on your shortness of breath and COPD.
A hobby will help you to work at becoming mindful. It will strengthen your ability to concentrate.
This puts you on the path of controlling the things your brain tells you. It allows you to be in charge of the outcomes of your episodes of shortness of breath.
It also gives you something to look forward to. If you have no hobby, consider volunteering.
Get your body moving
It was too easy to slack off exercising during the holidays. Too many carbs have had their way with our hips.
This can leave us a little more breathless than usual. We all understand the importance of getting back on the horse and know we must do it.
So, most of us will start over again now. We’ve done it many times before and will do it many more in the future.
Remember that exercise should be fun; if not, you may be doing the wrong exercises. Try changing your exercise routine to keep it fresh and fun.
Finding an exercise partner will help keep you accountable. Find someone with the same limitations as you, someone that will encourage you to work hard every day and understand when you can’t.
Watching what you eat
We have to shun the cookies, candies, carbs, and those empty calories that have bombarded us over the last few months. It is time for a clean diet full of veggies and fruits with lean meats, fish, and poultry.
Having breakfast of eggs and waiting two hours to have fruit means we never feel hungry and can function on less. Doing the same with each meal leaves us less bloating and better breathing.
These are my 2023 goals; do you have any goals or changes coming in 2023?
Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.
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