Welcome to Pulmonary Rehab

Energy Conservation

Babette Parthum, RRTClinical CoordinatorRespiratory Therapy

●Plan Ahead●Prioritize Your Tasks●Position Yourself●Pace Yourself●Remember To Breathe●Move Smarter●Rearrange your house

Energy Conservation

● Planning your day or week saves time AND energy●What time of day do you have the most energy?●Utilize this time to be active.●Plan your activities (chores, exercise, and recreation)

ahead of time. Space out your activities throughout the day. Do not schedule too many things to do in one day. Do the things that take more energy when you are feeling your best.

●Plan rest breaks after meals and throughout the day. Rest for 20-30 minutes after each meal.

●Alternate between difficult and easy tasks.

Plan Ahead

●Use your energy wisely.●Be realistic about what activities you can

do and how much you can do.●Ask for help. Divide tasks among family

and friends. Asking for help does not mean you are dependent, it means you are conserving your energy wisely.

Prioritize

●Use work surfaces that are at a comfortable height.

● One of the easiest ways to save energy is to use your body properly. When the body is in proper alignment, less effort is required to maintain that posture.

●Avoid bending and lifting; push, pull or slide instead.

●If you must lift and carry, lift with your legs, use both hands and carry close to your body.

Position Yourself

●Sit down when possible. Sitting uses 25% less energy than standing.

●Keep items that you use often (medications, telephone) handy.

●Store items between shoulder and waist level. This limits climbing, bending, and reaching.

●Put items back in their designated places. This prevents lengthy searches.

Position Yourself

Picture courtesy of Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

Picture courtesy of Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia

●Work at a relaxed, steady pace to consume less energy.

●Break up tasks into small steps.●Use a cart you can roll from room to room to

hold all the things you need. This limits trips back and forth.

●Use slow, smooth movements, especially when performing a task that requires increased effort.

Pace Yourself

●If needed, use devices and tools that assist you such as a walker, shower chair, hand-held shower head, bedside commode, or long-handled tools for dressing (such as a dressing stick, shoe-horn, or sock donner).

●Wear clothes that have zippers and buttons in the front so you don't have to reach behind you.

Pace Yourself

● Use pursed-lip breathing while you perform tasks.● Exhale when you use effort. (ex: Breathe out when

lifting a grocery bag, breathe in once you are holding the bag)

● Do NOT hold your breath. Focus on breathing in and out.● Exhale as long as you can between breaths. Exhale

longer than you inhale. This helps you take slow, deep breaths which allows you to take in more air.

● It is OK to be short of breath. Do NOT panic! YOU are in control of your own breathing. Pace yourself and do your pursed-lip breathing.

● Do not rush through your tasks. This uses more energy and worsens your shortness of breath.

Remember to Breathe

Picture courtesy of Mount Nittany Health

●Climbing Stairs: Inhale before taking the first step. As you exhale, straighten your leg and raise your body to the next step. Continue as you climb upwards.○ Use railings for support. Stop and rest if you need

to.●Getting Out Of Bed: Roll onto your side (move your

body as a solid unit, do not twist). Move to the side of the bed. Inhale. As you exhale, raise your body by pressing down with both arms. Swing both legs to the floor. Inhale as you straighten your legs to stand. Exhale and push off the bed with your hands.

Tips to Move Smarter

Picture courtesy of Back and Neck Care Centre

●Adjust bed height. Your feet should touch the floor when sitting on the edge of the mattress

●Place a piece of sturdy furniture next to the bed to use as support when getting in and out of bed. (It should be at same height as bed)

●Keep a rescue inhaler by your bed and/or recliner for easy access.

Tips for Rearranging Your House To Conserve Energy and Stay Safe

●When showering, sit on a waterproof stool and use a hand held shower nozzle. Use warm water instead of hot. Steam makes breathing harder.

●Make sure items you use the most are easy to reach.

●Keep hallways and stairs well lit.●When shopping, use a steady shopping cart to

lean on and ask for help when reaching for items on top or bottom shelves.

Tips for Rearranging Your House To Conserve Energy and Stay Safe

● Remember these four things when performing tasks: plan ahead, prioritize tasks, position, and pace yourself.

● Remember to breathe and do not panic if you become short of breath. Take a break when needed and perform pursed-lip breathing.

● Moving smarter will help you save energy. Purse-lip breathe and use your inhaler when needed.

● Rearranging your house will not only conserve your energy; it will keep you safe.

Conclusion

● American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

● American Lung Association● COPD Foundation● Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia, 2006

References