everyday activities

Here are some tips...

Setting priorities

Your breathlessness may mean you can no longer do everything you want to. You may need to set priorities.

Think about what you want to do, and what you need to do. Decide what is really important to you, and concentrate on doing it. Don’t worry about the rest. Your priorities may change from day to day.

Planning your activities

• Planning ahead may help to stop you getting too tired or breathless.
  
  
• Don’t take on too much in any one day.
  
  
• You may feel more active at certain times of the day. Use these times to do more active things.
  
  
• Pace yourself – and balance your activities with time for rest.
  
  
• When you are travelling to an appointment, allow yourself extra time to get there.
  
  
• When you plan an activity, it may help to build in a rest period (for example, time for a coffee break during a shopping trip).

Getting out of bed

• Take your time. It may help to sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you carry on.

Washing and dressing

• Loose clothes are easier to put on, and will not restrict your breathing.
  
  
• When washing and dressing, it may be easier if you sit down.
  
  
• Have all your clothes close by, ready to put on.
  
  
• When you take a bath or shower, don’t have the water too hot. The room can get steamy, which makes breathing harder.
  
  
• Have something ready to sit on when you get out of the bath or shower.
  
  
• A small hand rail in the shower or bath may help. Other equipment is available if bathing becomes too difficult.

Bending and stretching

• Avoid bending and stretching if you can. Keep the things you use most often within easy reach.
  
  
• Try sitting on a stool to reach things near floor level, such as plug sockets.
  
  
• Avoid bending over at the waist. This makes breathing harder.
  Instead, bend your knees and keep your back straight. This lets you keep your shoulders back and your chest upright.
  
  
• When bending, have something secure to hold onto (eg a chair) for when you stand up again.

Climbing gentle slopes and stairs

• Try to match the rate of your breathing with your walking pace. Breathe in on one step, and out on the next two steps. You may need to practise this for a while to get it right.
  
  
• Try not to make too many trips up and down the stairs.

Lifting

• Don’t carry heavy bags with your arms by your side. Use a shopping trolley or a backpack instead.

Shopping

• Make a list of what you need, before you set out.
  
  
• Try to shop at less busy times.
  
  
• Use a shopping trolley instead of carrying baskets.
  
  
• Go shopping with a friend, so they can help you if you get tired.
  
  
• Ask staff to help you pack your shopping bags and carry them to your car.
  
  
• You could try a different way of shopping – if you have a computer, for instance, you may be able to order on the Internet and have your goods delivered to you.
  
  
• There are services that can help you with transport and mobility. Shopmobility for instance, lends wheelchairs and power scooters so that you can use leisure and shopping facilities.