Enhancing Wellness: Key Health Exercises for Managing COPD
Living with COPD can make simple activities, a regular routine of correct, mild exercise can help combat the effects of COPD, improving overall health and leading to a more independent, active and confident lifestyle.
One of the great benefits of regular exercise is that it can improve your circulation. Improved circulation means your body can make better use of oxygen and help alleviate shortness of breath. By following a regular exercise routine you'll be strengthening your heart and cardiovascular system and lowering your blood pressure at the same time. Exercise will also give you a boost of energy and make you feel more relaxed when done. Along with the physical benefits it will provide, exercise can also increase your confidence in your abilities.
The Best Exercise Options for COPD
Only you and your doctor can determine what exercises will be of the most benefit to you, but consider the ideas below as a good place to start:
Aerobic & Cardiovascular Exercise - Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular fitness, allowing your body to use oxygen more efficiently. Try some of the following:
Swimming – If you enjoy swimming then this is a great, low impact way to exercise and after all who doesn’t like getting wet!
Dancing – Whether it’s the jitterbug, the waltz, the tango or line dancing moving your body is a great way to keep fit and have fun while you exercise.
Walking – If you’re not a fan of the gym, consider visiting the local mall, a nearby park, or just walking around the house or around the block. After all, you can walk anywhere and you can set your own pace too.
Resistance training - Working out with light weights is a great way to build strength gently over time. If you don’t belong to a gym, or you don’t have weights at home, try holding a can of beans or a book in each hand – really any comfortable weight will do. You can do traditional lifts with your weights or just carry them with you when you go for a walk. As your muscles are conditioned and trained - especially in your upper body - your respiratory muscles will become stronger and more fatigue resistant.
Stretching – A great way to start and finish any exercise program is by stretching. Stretching before you exercise relaxes your muscles and improves your flexibility and range of motion, and when you’re done with your exercise routing stretching can help you to avoid muscle strain and injury.
Yoga - Yoga is a great option for COPD sufferers. It's a combination of stretching and strengthening exercises, meditation and stress reduction techniques like controlled breathing, which can help reduce anxiety and induce relaxation while strengthening the body.
Tips for Exercising with COPD
Be sure to check in with your doctor before starting any exercise program. You may want to work with a physical or respiratory therapist on developing a plan that is appropriate for you.
Find the right workout for you. Choose an exercise that you enjoy: gardening, hiking, shopping, or swimming are all great options. If you are doing something you enjoy, the chances you'll stick with it are much greater.
Pace yourself - No matter what type of exercise you choose - don't rush! Take your time and rest if you start to feel dizzy.
Be patient - Start off slow with an appropriate exercise level suited to your fitness level and breathing ability. Over time you will build up to your target fitness level.
Practice breathing techniques - Breathing exercises can help in many ways. COPD patients have found the "Pursed-lip breathing technique" to be helpful. This is when you inhale slowly through your nose for two counts, purse your lips as if you were going to whistle and then exhale slowly and gently for four counts. It may sound counterintuitive, but it works!
Following a daily exercise routine can help control and minimize the symptoms associated with your COPD. With effort, you may soon find you have improved endurance and can be more active in daily life without becoming fatigued. With a few precautions and guidance from your doctor and respiratory therapist, exercise will make you happier, healthier and stronger!