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Managing energy
Finding ways to manage your energy levels will help the breathing. Planning how you do things and pacing yourself will give you the best chance of having energy to do the things you would like to do. It can sometimes be frustrating doing things in a different way or taking more time, but it can make a big difference.
Imagine your energy as a bank account. Try to keep your energy in “credit” by balancing the things that use up your energy with things that give you energy. Some activities are going to be more “expensive” than others and will use more energy.
Or you might want to think of your energy as a battery. Give your energy a chance to “re-charge” by getting a balance between activity and rest. In the same way that a battery cannot function when flat, your body cannot function with no energy.
The 5 Ps
Planning
Allow plenty of time. Which time of day is best?
Prioritising
What’s important to me? Consider energy givers and energy depleters.
Permission
Know it’s okay to do things differently. Reward yourself for doing this.
Pacing
Simplify activities. Try to avoid fitting too much in the day.
Posture
If moving something, push rather than pull. Maintain good posture.
Steady does it
Try to avoid ‘all or nothing’ patterns of activity. Sometimes people call this ‘boom and bust’. Doing too much all at once means it takes a while to recover. Try to hold back a little when you’ve got more energy, so you can do more another time. Going steadily often means you get more done overall.
Other strategies
Click to find out about useful strategies for breaking the Functioning cycle.
This website describes some practical ways to help you manage day-to-day long-term breathlessness. It has useful information for people with lung conditions, their carers, and the health professionals supporting them.
If your breathing is getting rapidly worse or you have new symptoms, it is important to seek prompt medical review or call 000. This website is not designed for people who have a new undiagnosed breathing problem or a sudden deterioration. It is not a substitute for medical assessment.