Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of COPD. Energy conservation isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing things in a smarter, more efficient way to preserve your strength for the activities you truly enjoy. It’s a strategy that involves planning, prioritizing, and modifying how you perform tasks.
Principles of Energy Conservation
- Plan Ahead: Look at your week. Schedule high-energy tasks (like shopping or cleaning) on different days. Don’t overbook one day.
- Prioritize: Decide what tasks are essential and what can be delegated or postponed. It’s okay to let some things go.
- Pace Yourself: This is the “stop-and-go” method. Break tasks into smaller steps. Work for 15-20 minutes, then rest for 5-10 before continuing. Rest before you become exhausted, not after.
- Positioning: Sit down whenever possible. Use a stool in the kitchen while cooking, a chair in the shower, or sit to get dressed. This saves a significant amount of energy.
- Use Assistive Devices: Tools are there to help you. A wheeled cart can carry laundry or groceries. A reacher/grabber can pick up items from the floor. A sock aid can make dressing easier.
- Simplify Your Environment: Keep frequently used items within easy reach. Organize your kitchen, bathroom, and closet to minimize bending, stretching, and unnecessary walking.
Sample Energy-Conserving Routine: Making a Meal
- Old way: Stand at the counter to chop vegetables, stand at the stove to cook, and then stand to clean everything up. Result: exhaustion and breathlessness.
- New way: Sit at the kitchen table to chop vegetables. Use a slow cooker or prepare meals in bulk on days you feel good to have leftovers. Use a wheeled cart to bring dishes to the sink. Sit on a stool to wash dishes or use a dishwasher. Soak pots instead of scrubbing them.
Adopting these strategies can dramatically reduce fatigue and leave you with more energy for family, hobbies, and a better quality of life.