Give COPD the Workout it Deserves!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a major loss of the lung function and if you have been diagnosed with this illness, you may have been told that a physical workout is one of the best things you can do to help you feel better. If you are having trouble breathing, that may seem like the last thing you want to do, but it is best to take the doctor's advice on this one!

Many benefits come from exercising when you have COPD. Here are some of the main ones:

1.Although it may seem like exercise causes you to be short of breath, in the long run, it actually reduces shortness of breath.

2.Exercise will help build endurance and muscle strength, which will help you to be more active for longer periods of time, and everyday chores will be easier to do.

3.Getting outdoors or to the gym will motivated you. Keeping busy and doing something good will go a long way toward keeping depression or feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay.

4.Exercise will help to improve your body's ability to use existing lung function.

If you are planning to exercise, it's a good idea to have a plan. The first thing you should do before anything is talk with your doctor to see what is best for you. Choose activities that you are interested in and enjoying doing. If possible, get some friends to join you! A good regimen should include stretches to warm up and cool down. In between that, it is up to you. Here are some types of exercises that you should include somewhere in your schedule:

Aerobic Lower body Upper body Flexibility Endurance Strength happinesslifetime.com training Yoga

You can put your muscles to use anywhere. You can do it in the comfort of your own living room or in the fresh air of a nearby park. Once you have started your routine, stick with it. You may find that you get tired easily but that is normal and the more you stick with it, the less tired you will be.

Set goals for yourself and try to meet them. You don't have to meet a goal in one session, but try to accomplish it over a period of time. While exercising, keep an eye on your breathing. Don't over exert yourself. If there are any 'Drill Sargents ' around, tell them go throw themselves under the next bus.

Try breathing slowly and through your nose for maximum benefits. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break. You're not training for the Olympics, you're just coping with COPD and trying to breathe easier.

Bill Justice coping with Copd in every way possible with a little help from my friends.

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