Three New Year Resolutions for COPD Management

As we enter the new year, it's an opportune moment to reflect on our lives and well-being. This year, I encourage everyone to make positive changes and improve their well-being to gain others' support, sympathy, and empathy.

Three strategies for better COPD management

Here are three impactful things to incorporate into your life starting now.

Embrace visibility

Many of my friends and patients with asthma and COPD express reluctance to use their inhalers or nebulizers in public, often due to feelings of self-consciousness. Yes, I'm guilty of this myself. However, there's a powerful message in openly managing your respiratory health.

Using your inhaler or nebulizer use serves as a tangible way to convey the reality of your condition, dispelling any misconceptions. It expresses your need for these medications, emphasizing that your well-being is the priority, even if outward appearances suggest otherwise.

By showcasing this aspect of your health routine, you foster understanding and awareness surrounding COPD.

Open conversations

Initiate open conversations about your health. Despite feelings of humility or self-consciousness, many individuals with respiratory conditions tend to keep their struggles hidden. However, not sharing your struggles can lead to misunderstandings with your medical team about your well-being, and with others who could assume you are doing well based on appearances.

I understand the difficulty in sharing personal health challenges because I have faced it, too. Being part of the blogosphere has encouraged me to be open here and with friends and family.

Now, when I'm not feeling my best, I openly communicate it. Not to seek empathy, but ensuring those around me understand my situation. This openness not only dispels misconceptions but also invites support and advice when needed, which is especially needed when making health-related decisions can be challenging.

Embrace the strength of sharing your journey with those who care about you.

Prioritize your mental well-being

Take a moment to reflect on your mental health. How are you truly feeling?

The challenges of managing your health or witnessing a loved one's struggles can sometimes become overwhelming. Stress and depression are emotions that often go unnoticed, dismissed, or even overlooked, even by healthcare professionals like your doctor.

While not everyone may experience psychological disorders, our mental well-being significantly influences our day-to-day experiences and can impact how we manage conditions like COPD. Anxiety and depression may even lead to lapses in medication adherence.

It's crucial to break the silence surrounding mental health and discuss your feelings openly with your doctor. Seeking a proper diagnosis and potential treatment is not a sign of weakness but a proactive step towards a healthier and more fulfilling life despite the challenges posed by lung illness.

Empowering resolutions for the new year

As we embrace the dawn of the new year, these three resolutions are not just actions but steps towards a more empowered and supported journey. By embracing visibility, initiating open conversations, and prioritizing mental well-being, you are advocating for yourself and contributing to a greater understanding of COPD.

Remember, this journey is not one you undertake alone. The strength derived from sharing your experiences with those who care about you can pave the way for a year of growth, resilience, and improved well-being.

Here's to a year filled with positive change and a commitment to better breathing!