The New Year and COPD
New Year is my second favorite time of the year after September. I don’t subscribe to New Year's resolutions; instead, I think about it as a time of renewal.
From Thanksgiving, until we turn that calendar over, we fill ourselves with anticipation of what could be.
Embracing every moment
You may notice that instead of losing minutes of daylight, we are gaining minutes back daily. The sun is getting stronger, and although it's still cold, I embrace every extra minute of daylight.
The promise of spring is just around the corner, and this is an excellent time to plan your garden and plant some seeds.
In my younger days, I would take night school courses to quench my thirst for education. I attended night school for most of my adult life. Occasionally, I would join a book club or a ceramics class, but I always returned to the books by learning accounting and business. It served me well because I could still work from home even after I got sick.
Time for reflection
My motto is when something comes in, something has to go out. After the holidays is a great time to clean drawers and eliminate clutter. I put a box in each room for such tasks and fill it. Nothing feels better than boxing this stuff up and seeing it go out the door.
It's a good time to reflect on the past year, acknowledging what changed and eliminating what no longer serves you. Consider only yourself and your well-being. Stop taking things personally and focus on what will please you.
No more holding grudges. Learn to let things go and save your precious energy.
This is also an excellent time of the year to consider upping your exercise game and investing more time in moving and shaking those muscles. Start with sitting exercises and slowly work up to weight-bearing exercises.
Stop stressing about what you have not done before, and start doing it now.
Paying attention to the details
Diet can play a big part in how we feel. A diet high in carbs can impede your ability to breathe properly.
By following a diet, increasing veggies, and consuming less red meat, you will have better control of your COPD. This diet also helps with bloat and GERD.
Pay more attention to your mental health by practicing mindfulness. Learning to concentrate and focus allows you to control anxiety from shortness of breath episodes.
You can take it in small chunks by going to YouTube and searching for TED talks on managing your breathing.
Using your time wisely
Whatever you do this new year, learn to give yourself allowances and do more of what you want to do. By planning and pacing, you can make anything happen.
Remember that what others think of you is none of your business. Stay in your own lane.
It is your time; if you don’t use time wisely, you are wasting it.
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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