As we move into the summer months and celebrate the holidays with loved ones, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health as much as possible. Changed and extreme weather, as well as the social aspects of the holidays, can present unique challenges for those living with a lung condition. Here are our top tips for taking care of yourself this holiday season.
Keep hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is not only important for keeping you hydrated but it also helps to keep your mucous thin. If you become dehydrated, the secretions can become thick and sticky, which can make it more difficult to clear from your chest. This can also increase the risk of developing a chest infection.
It is recommended for women to have 8 cups of water a day and for men to have about 10 cups a day. In hotter parts of Australia, you may need to have a more fluid to prevent dehydration. Some people may be on a prescribed fluid restriction for another medical reason, so it is important to discuss this with your doctor about how much you should be drinking each day.
You can listen to Dr Hayley Scott – Accredited Practising Dietitian for more helpful tips on hydration, diet and nutrition for people living with bronchiectasis and COPD here: https://lungfoundation.com.au/resources/copd-bronchiectasis-diet-nutrition/
Maintain exercise
It’s important to maintain your exercise throughout the year, though it may be a bit more difficult during the warmer weather. Discuss with your prescribing exercise professional how to exercise safely in the heat and to understand any danger signs that might mean you need to slow down, take a break or even stop. This can include dizziness, extreme shortness of breath, pain, a racing heart or nausea.
Tips
- Avoid exercising in the hottest times of the day and instead aim to exercise in the morning or late afternoon
- Avoid exercising in the sun, or ensure you wear sunscreen and a hat
- Stay hydrated
- If you are out for the day, make sure you remember your medicines, a handheld fan, and plenty of water
Remember to seek advice from your healthcare practitioner before engaging in a new exercise routine
Keep connected
It’s normal for some people to feel lonely or isolated during the holiday season. Make sure you’re staying connected to family of friends where possible, whether this be face-to-face, or virtually over Facetime and phone calls.
For helpful tips, resources, and information to help you look after your mental and emotional wellbeing, visit our Mind Matters page.
Peer Support Groups are another good way to stay connected with others, particularly to connect with others living with a lung condition.
Lung Foundation Australia have a range of face-to-face and online peer support groups available, as well as a one-on-one telephone matching service for people living with a lung condition and their carers. Please visit our support groups section for more information.
Be prepared for the weather
Summer often means extreme weather such as bushfires, floods, and soaring temperatures, which can impact your health.
Bushfires
The risk of bushfires increases significantly during the summer season, and those living with a lung condition need to remain vigilant and take additional precautions due to the effects of inhaling bushfire smoke. If there is bushfire smoke around, make sure you remain indoors with doors and windows closed, and if you have one, set your air-conditioning unit to the recycle mode.
Floods
Floods, storms, or prolonged wet weather can provide the perfect breeding ground for mould which, when inhaled, can inflame the airways and may cause a flare-up in your condition. You can reduce your risk of developing mould by: keeping you home well ventilated, particularly in wet areas such as bathrooms (exhaust fans can be helpful); repairing any leaks in roofs or gutters; avoiding planting gardens against your home that can encourage moisture build up; and using moisture absorbers to reduce excess moisture in the air.
Heat
During extreme heat, it is important to keep yourself cool. As well as using air-conditioning and fans to stay cool, you can also freeze a wet hand towel to place on you, use a handheld fan, take a cool shower, safely go for a swim, use blinds and curtains, and go to your local library or shopping centre. You might wish to contact your electricity provider to ask if they offer financial assistance, concession or rebates in your state for running cooling for your medical condition.
Power outages – Oxygen concentrators and life support
Summer storms often bring power outages which can impact oxygen concentrators. If you have an oxygen concentrator, you may be eligible for a life support program offered by your electricity company, which provides valuable information on power supply interruptions. This means you will be contacted by your energy provider directly, whenever possible, if there is going to be an interruption in the supply of electricity.
Register your details with your energy provider as soon as possible, so you can be given additional protection, such as being provided with an advanced written planned interruption notification. To register your life support request, you can visit your energy provider’s website to download or fill in the form online, or contact your energy company by telephone to discuss your life support needs.
Protect yourself against COVID-19
The holiday season often means spending more time around family and friends. With relaxing protections and regulations, and a growing perception that COVID-19 is over, this can provoke anxiety in some people living with a lung condition. Ensuring you’re protected against COVID-19 can help relieve some of your worries around contracting the virus.
Make sure you’re up to date with your vaccinations and organise to receive your booster shot if you haven’t already. If you feel comfortable, continue to wear masks in public settings, and frequently handwash and use hand sanitiser to reduce your risk of infection.
You may also wish to discuss your apprehension with your family and friends to help them better understand how you’re feeling and encourage them to use preventative measures as well. Opting to meeting in open areas and outdoors in the shade is a good option if you are spending time with others. You might also consider rescheduling catching up with family and friends if they are feeling unwell.
Lung Foundation Australia’s Information and Support Centre team can connect you with information and services to help you to live well with a lung condition. Book a call with the team here or free call 1800 654 301.
Please note, our Information and Support Centre will be closed from 22 December 2022 to 3 January 2023.