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Hello! How are you feeling today?
If you have COPD, it’s a must to check that your physical health is optimal. Your oxygen levels are stable, you aren’t feeling too fatigued, and are well enough to go about your day. However, you also have to check on how you’re feeling emotionally.
Having COPD doesn’t mean that your emotional health should take a back seat. In fact, various studies have found that emotional health is very much linked to physical health, and those who are doing well emotionally tend to feel more energized and have less physical symptoms.
Due to various lifestyle changes and the inability to perform previous activities, COPD patients have been found to be more prone to depression and anxiety. Studies have observed that people affected with COPD are 45 percent more prone to depression, as compared with only 15 percent of the general population. This, however, doesn’t have to be your reality.
There’s a lot you can do to stay healthy emotionally. Once you understand the possible emotional effects of COPD, you can choose to do something about these. Whenever you feel down or anxious, know that these are normal reactions to the changes you’ve had to adapt in your life. Here are a few ways to change your outlook and keep your emotional health at an optimal level.
Stay socially active. Though you probably spend more time at home than before, having COPD is not an excuse to forget your friends and acquaintances. Schedule a meet-up with your friends at least once every 1-2 weeks. Don’t always turn down invitations to birthdays, weddings and special celebrations. If you aren’t feeling well, you can always give your host a same-day notice that you can’t make it. They’ll understand. Go on coffee dates, dinners, or simple get-togethers like a barbecue or a football game. No matter how simple, going out with friends and family can have a large impact on your overall well-being. As long as you take all the necessary precautions, like making sure the venue is not too polluted and requires only minimal physical activity to get there, you can still enjoy spending time with those who support you and are there for you. An alternative to going out with friends? Have them come over and bring some potluck dishes to your place!
Seek support from others who have COPD. There’s nothing like talking to people who can understand how you’re feeling. Some hospitals have COPD support groups that you can join. There are also a lot of active COPD communities online with forums and discussion rooms. Simply talking and getting advice from people who are going through the same issues as you can be very enlightening. A plus here is that you’ll get to meet and bond with new people too!
Keep a journal. If you’re fond of writing, you most probably have a journal or notebook where you jot down whatever you’re feeling, both physically and emotionally. If you don’t have one yet, it’s about time you get one for yourself. Even if you’re not a writer or aren’t keen on writing, having a notebook to write down your symptoms, express your feelings, and make sense of things can be a good form of therapy. You’ll also be more aware of your condition, helping you keep track of symptoms or patterns, and more easily identify problems and triggers based on what you’ve written down. This can help you avoid certain triggers or situations in the future. Regular journal writing also helps relieve any tension and anxiety by providing an outlet to your feelings and helping you sort them out. If you really aren’t the type to get a hold of pen and paper, you can also go for an online journal or blog (which you can opt to keep private) or even a sound recorder where you can just voice out and record a narration of your feelings, symptoms, and your day in general.
Aside from these few tips, having a home that is comfortable and conducive to relaxation will significantly help, along with the presence of family and friends. Remember, the emotions you’re going through are normal, but, you can choose what to feel.
Every day, choose to feel happy and healthy, and you will be!
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