08.02.2026
Starting a new routine or a new year can feel challenging for many
people. For people living with COPD, this challenge is often even
greater. Shortness of breath, reduced physical capacity, and
fluctuating symptoms can make even small plans feel difficult to
achieve on certain days.
Motivation is often misunderstood. It is not a constant state but
something that changes depending on health, daily condition, and
external factors. Especially with advanced COPD, it is important not
to link motivation to perfection or daily performance. Instead, the
focus should be on developing a realistic and compassionate approach
to your own capabilities.
In this article, you will learn how motivation works with COPD, why
setbacks are part of the process, and how you can stay consistent even
when getting started feels difficult.
Stay on track with clarity
The Breathment App helps you keep an overview of your
breathing therapy and symptoms and makes progress visible—even
during phases of low motivation.
Motivation is not a permanent state
Many people put pressure on themselves to feel motivated all the time.
With COPD, however, motivation often fluctuates more strongly than in
healthy individuals. Days with increased breathlessness, fatigue, or
coughing can significantly reduce the ability or willingness to follow
routines.
It is important to understand that low motivation is not a sign of
weakness or lack of willpower. In many cases, it is a direct result of
the condition itself. Accepting this can reduce self-blame and make it
easier to navigate difficult phases.
A helpful shift in perspective is to see motivation not as a
prerequisite for action, but as something that can grow out of small,
manageable steps.
Small successes instead of high expectations
Many plans fail early because expectations are too high. Trying to
change everything at once often leads to frustration. With COPD,
focusing on small successes is usually more effective.
A small success might be:
-
completing a short breathing exercise despite low energy
- consciously taking a rest break
- noticing slightly more stable breathing
- documenting symptoms on a difficult day
These successes may seem minor, but they are crucial for long-term
motivation. They show that progress is possible—even on challenging
days.
You can learn more about how realistic goals support motivation in the
article
Setting Realistic Health Goals with COPD.
Accepting setbacks as part of the process
Setbacks are a natural part of living with COPD. Infections, weather
changes, or stressful periods can temporarily worsen symptoms. It is
important not to see these phases as failure.
Motivation is more likely to last when setbacks are understood as a
normal part of the condition. During such times, reducing expectations
is not only acceptable but often necessary. Even a shortened breathing
therapy session or a conscious rest period can still be supportive.
People who allow themselves to respond flexibly are more likely to
stay connected to their COPD therapy than those who abandon routines
when plans do not work out perfectly.
Routines as anchors of stability
Small routines can provide important support during phases of low
motivation. They create structure without requiring constant
decision-making. When motivation is lacking, established routines can
act as anchors.
A simple routine might be a short breathing exercise in the morning or
using a breathing technique during physical exertion. These routines
do not need to be performed perfectly. Their main value lies in
providing orientation and continuity.
How such routines can be built is explained in the article
Small Routines Instead of Big Resolutions with COPD.
Making progress visible
Motivation often increases when progress becomes visible. With COPD,
improvements are often subtle and develop slowly. Recording breathing
exercises, symptoms, or daily limits helps you recognize changes over
longer periods.
Especially with advanced COPD, this documentation can also support
communication with healthcare professionals. It helps create a
realistic picture of how therapy works in everyday life and shows that
small steps can have meaningful effects.
For a broader perspective on New Year’s resolutions and realistic
approaches, see the pillar article
New Year’s Resolutions: Health Goals | Breathment.
Conclusion: Rethinking motivation with COPD
Motivation with COPD does not mean feeling strong or optimistic every
day. It grows from acceptance, small steps, and a realistic
understanding of your own situation. A difficult start is not a
barrier—it is part of the journey.
Allowing yourself to take breaks, adapt routines, and acknowledge
small successes creates a stable foundation for staying consistent
over time—at your own pace.
