Pucker your lips

Introduction

Living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can feel challenging, but taking an active role in your daily care can make a profound difference. Effective management helps you breathe easier, stay more active, prevent flare-ups (called exacerbations), and significantly improve your quality of life. This guide provides essential strategies for your everyday routine.

1. Master Your Breathing Techniques

When you feel short of breath, it’s natural to panic. Learning to control your breathing is your first line of defense.

• Pursed-Lip Breathing: This simple technique helps keep your airways open longer so your lungs can get rid of more trapped air.
  1. Inhale slowly through your nose for two counts.
  2. Pucker your lips as if you were about to whistle.
  3. Exhale slowly and gently through your pursed lips for four to six counts.
• Diaphragmatic (Belly) Breathing: This strengthens your main breathing muscle, the diaphragm.
  1. Sit or lie down comfortably with relaxed shoulders.
  2. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly.
  3. Breathe in slowly through your nose. You should feel your belly rise more than your chest.
  4. Breathe out slowly through pursed lips, feeling your belly fall.

Practice these techniques when you are calm so you can use them effectively when you feel breathless.