Healthy Habits

Research has shown that exercising is highly beneficial for people living with a chronic lung disease. In fact, it is widely recognised that one of the best things you can do for yourself is regularly exercise to help maintain your fitness, improve your wellbeing and reduce symptoms such as breathlessness. However, you might be wondering how to maintain your physical health while practising social distancing and self-isolation. We have teamed up with healthcare professionals to provide you with information on how to practice exercise and healthy eating while spending your time at home. 

Before starting a home exercise program, ensure you have consulted with your GP or a qualified exercise professional, such as a Physiotherapist or Exercise Physiologist, to ensure that you are fit and able to exercise safely at home. Many health professionals are now offering telehealth appointments – so you can consult with them via the telephone or a video call.

During this consultation, make a plan, which should address your individual health status, as well as your own personal exercise goals, taking into consideration the equipment (e.g. bags of rice, tins of beans) and space (e.g. backyard, garage) you already have available at home. Using a resource like Lung Foundation Australia’s Better Living with Exercise Guide can help you to track your exercise progression.

It can be hard to maintain your motivation to exercise, especially while at home. Here are some tips from Lung Foundation Australia’s Exercise Physiologist, Emma, on how you stay motivated and continue with your home exercise program:

• Schedule a regular workout time – set an alarm to remind you if that helps
• Team up with a member of your household so you can keep each other motivated
• Link in with family or friends so you can virtually exercise together
• Put on your favourite music while you work out
• Above all, don’t forget to have fun!

Other ways to keep active during this time may include:

• Tuning in to Lung Foundation Australia’s Maintaining Movement video series – complete the exercises alongside our Exercise Physiologist
• Trying an online Tai Chi or Yoga class – there are many seated options for those who may have difficulty with their balance
• Trying an online dance video – Respiratory Public Health Specialist and Dance Facilitator Sian Williams, in collaboration with the Life of Breath team, has developed videos specifically for those who experience breathlessness. Access them here.

Home-based Exercise Series

Healthy Habits

You might be wondering how you can keep up your healthy habits during social isolation and with limited options available at the grocery store. Lung Foundation Australia Respiratory Care Nurse Amanda Curran sat down to share her tips and advice.

“The food you eat gives you the nutrients and energy you need to breathe and can help your body to heal. If you’re trying to prevent catching any bugs or you’ve been unwell with a flare-up, it’s particularly important to be conscious of what you’re eating,” Amanda said.

“Often people think healthy eating means hours in the kitchen preparing meals and expensive trips to the grocery shop. If you commonly experience fatigue and breathlessness it may be difficult to spend lots of time prepping and cooking.

Quit smoking 

Now is the time to quit smoking. There is growing evidence that people who smoke may be at higher risk of COVID-19 and its complications. Quitting smoking is an important step to take to protect yourself from COVID-19. For more information about the other benefits of smoking cessation and advice, visit the Quitting Smoking page. 

Call Quitline today to start planning your quit journey, 13 78 48. 

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