Health and emotional wellbeing

Self-care is about undertaking any activity that can help with your physical, emotional and mental health. It’s a regular commitment to look after yourself through helpful activities that can help to protect your wellbeing. Paying attention to what is happening to yourself both physically and emotionally, can help to identify when something is affecting you adversely.

It’s important to take time out when you need take care of your mental and physical health. Self-care can be an everyday way of living by including it into your day-to-day routines to maintain positive wellbeing. It can take many shapes and forms and may be different for everyone. Self-care doesn’t need to take up a lot of time or cost a lot of money. People benefit from self-care in different ways. It is important to identify the activities which will be most beneficial to you.

The feelings of isolation, distress and fear can often turn into depression and anxiety. Some of the main symptoms of depression include low mood, loss of interest in daily activities, fatigue or low energy levels. The main symptoms of anxiety are fear, restlessness, sleep disturbances and reduced concentration and memory. If you recognise these symptoms, the first step is early diagnosis by your health professional.

There are many things that can assist you in getting your life back on track.  There is evidence that supports the effectiveness of medication, cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise programs and relaxation therapy. You may not need all these therapies – your healthcare provider will help you determine which therapies will best suit you. Take the first step to emotional wellbeing and recovery and speak to your healthcare provider to get you started on the right track.

One of the most important interventions people with a chronic lung condition can do to manage depression and anxiety is exercise. The idea of exercising may sound daunting, but evidence is emerging showing the effectiveness of exercise in people with different lung conditions, including bronchiectasis, Interstitial Lung Disease and lung cancer. It can help you understand more about your lung condition, manage your breathlessness and help you with your confidence.

Your healthcare professional will either refer you to a physiotherapist or similar to discuss an exercise plan suited to you. Read more about lung disease and exercise, here.