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New Year's Resolutions for People With COPD
Resolve to Breathe Better for the New Year

By Deborah Leader, RN, About.com

Updated January 01, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

With the new year, many of you may be thinking about making that one resolution which will ultimately change your life. Perhaps you want to improve your golf game, learn a new hobby, or take more time for yourself. The new year is a perfect time to start over and if you have COPD, there is no better time than now to resolve to breathe better. So, how do you manage that? Here are some helpful New Year's Resolutions for people who have COPD:

1. Quit Smoking

How to Quit SmokingFlickr.com

Did you know that quitting smoking is the number one method of prevention and treatment for COPD? But breaking the habit is not that easy, as nicotine is one of the most addicting substances on the planet. The following will help get you pointed in the right direction:

10 Tips to Help you Quit Smoking

Using the Nicotine Patch: Lauren's Success Story

The Health Risks of Secondhand Smoke

2. Get Active

Exercise and COPDFlickr.com

An exercise program can help you regain a sense of control over your life, increase your self-esteem and improve your overall quality of life. Discover how exercise can benefit you if you have COPD:

Exercise and COPD: Learning the Basics

4 Ways to Improve Your Flexibility

How to Start a Walking Program

3. Start Eating Right

Flickr.com

Good nutrition is important, especially if you have COPD. Learn which foods to enjoy, and which to avoid:

Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPD

How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain

Tips for Avoiding Shortness of Breath While Eating

4. Learn a New Breathing Technique

Breathing ExercisesFlickr.com

If you have COPD, then you know how dyspnea, or shortness of breath, can impact your quality of life. Learn breathing techniques that will help reduce your dyspnea:

How to Perform Pursed-Lip Breathing

Breathing Exercises for People with COPD

Breaking the Dyspnea Cycle

5. Better Manage Your Medications

Medication SafetyFlickr.com

Managing medications can be risky business, especially if you are elderly, live alone and have multiple medical problems. Learn how to better manage your medications:

The 10 Rules of Medication Safety

How to Avoid Medication Errors

Medication Error: Are you at Risk?

Explore COPD
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