Living with COPD Series - Conserving Energy

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Living with COPD Series

Conserving Energy

Plan ahead

	Helps to eliminate wasted time and unnecessary extra motion.
	Plan each day and allow for frequent rest breaks.
	Know your best time of the day to accomplish tasks and schedule activities accordingly.
	Assemble all items needed to complete a task before you begin.
	Make a flexible schedule for the week, spreading out the heavier more difficult tasks. You can also try to breakdown heavy tasks into a few lighter tasks.

Balance rest with activity

	Learn to allow time to rest when planning your daily activities.
	Rest improves endurance and will leave strength for more enjoyable activities.
	Rest means doing absolutely nothing at all.
	Try to rest 5-10 minutes out of every hour.
	Get adequate sleep. Though sleep difficulties are common for some, try for 8-10 hours per night.
	Rest for 45-60 minutes after meals. It requires a great deal of energy and oxygen to digest meals.
	Rest in a reclined position when possible. Sitting to rest takes 1/3 more energy then lying down.

Learn activity tolerance

	Learn what you can do in a given day.
	Try not to over do even if you think you can do much more on a given day than normal.
	Be flexible with your routine for those days you feel not quite up to par.
	Can an activity be broken down into smaller more manageable tasks?
	Is someone else available that can help you with your harder tasks?

Set priorities

	Focus on those tasks or activities that are priorities that must be done.
	Learn to let go of the guilt that can come with not finishing a task due to fatigue. There is always another time.
	Eliminate unnecessary jobs and delegate to others when at all possible
	If possible, hire out those activities that have become virtually impossible for you. Lawn mowing is a good example.

Pace activities

	Rest before becoming exhausted.
	Taking time out for a rest break may seem difficult at first, but it will greatly help your endurance and stamina in the long run.
	Most importantly, DO NOT RUSH.

Additional suggestions

	Sit rather then stand when possible. Sitting requires less energy.
	Use good body mechanics and muscles that use the least amount of energy.
	Use proper work heights.
	Keep items used frequently within easy reach.

Compiled by COPD-International Community Members

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Last modified: June 17, 2002
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