One of the first goals for an Alpha with lung disease to consider is the development of a reasonable set of expectations for dealing with work, family, and health that will allow you to conserve the energy you need for the act of breathing. These realistic expectations, and how you apply them to your daily activities, are what we call Energy Management. Read on to find tips to help you manage your energy and get the most out of each day. 

Energy Management Tips

Optimize Your Workflow

  • Pace yourself: Give yourself adequate time to complete a task; avoid rushing. Take frequent, short breaks before you are really tired.
  • Make tasks easier: Use tools, equipment, or postures that require less energy. It is not lazy, it is smart.
  • Space out your activities: Break big jobs into smaller steps and plan longer rest breaks between more strenuous tasks. Plan your day accordingly – if you need to attend a meeting in the evening, avoid strenuous activities earlier in the day.
  • Eliminate unnecessary tasks: Eliminate extra trips to the store, or even to different rooms in your home, by planning ahead and assembling all supplies needed for a specific activity before you begin.

Make Sure You Are Comfortable

  • Avoid strenuous movements: Rapid, jerky arm movements can produce shortness of breath and fatigue. Working with the arms overhead causes strain. Keep motions small, smooth and flowing.
  • Sit to work: For tasks that take time, use a stool or chair to minimize fatigue.
  • Adjust work height: Eliminate excessive or unnecessary bending, lifting, stooping, or reaching. Improper work height may cause back strain and overall fatigue. Poor posture also restricts breathing. The best working height for standing at a table is 2 inches below the crease in your elbow.

Control Your Environment 

  • Organize storage/work areas: Keep items that are used often within easy reach. Store items in the area where they are used most.
  • Keep cool: Working in a room that is too warm is less efficient for your body than working in a cool place, because extra energy must be expended by the heart and lungs to cool the body. Do more stressful activities in the cool part of the day. If your work area is too warm, invest in a personal fan or portable A/C unit.

Make Time to Relax

Emotions and tension take energy out of the “bank.” Minimize anxiety by planning ahead, leaving time enough to complete the task, and to rest afterwards.

Source: https://bfrg.alphanet.org/s/article/6-10-6-energy-management-techniques-for-daily-living