New Year – a new beginning with COPD?

Many New Year's resolutions are based on improving performance: more sport, more activity, faster progress. However, these approaches fall short for people with COPD.

The disease is chronic and progressive, which is why the stress limits vary greatly from person to person. COPD symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing with sputum, or rapid fatigue make it difficult to maintain rigid goals. In addition, setbacks - for example, due to infections or weather-related deteriorations - are part of the clinical picture.

Those who set goals that are too high often experience these setbacks as personal failures, even though they can be medically explained. A realistic approach therefore considers the daily form, the stage of the disease, and existing therapy plans.

Instead of big resolutions, it is recommended to formulate small health goals. These should be specific, verifiable and adapted to your own COPD therapy.

Examples of realistic goals can include:

• Daily short breathing therapy units
• Regular use of certain breathing techniques
• Conscious breaks in everyday life
• Better observation of your own COPD symptoms

Such goals are easier to integrate into everyday life and strengthen self-efficacy in the long term. They can also be easily combined with existing treatment plans.

You can read more about what realistic goals can look like in our article Setting Realistic Health Goals with COPD .

Structured COPD therapy does not just consist of medication. Breathing therapy, exercise, training and self-observation are central components.

Especially at the beginning of the year, it is worth consciously reflecting on your own therapy. Breathing therapy helps to relieve the respiratory muscles, reduce shortness of breath and gain confidence in dealing with stress. Breathing techniques such as lip brake or metered lip brake are proven tools that can also be used in everyday life.

Those who practice regularly not only benefit physically, but also gain more confidence in their own resilience.

Motivation is not a permanent state but fluctuates. Especially with COPD, it is normal for good phases to alternate with more difficult times. It is important not to see this as a step backwards but to accept it as part of the illness.

It is helpful to make progress visible. This can be done through notes, diaries, or digital tools. Anyone who documents their symptoms, breathing exercises, and changes often sees small improvements that would otherwise be lost in everyday life.

You can find out how to stay motivated even during difficult starts in the article Staying Motivated with COPD .

Long-term changes rarely arise from radical changes. Small routines that can be firmly integrated into everyday life are much more effective. This can be a short breathing exercise in the morning or a conscious moment of relief in between.

These routines create structure without being overwhelming. They can be adjusted if your daily condition fluctuates and provide security when dealing with your own illness.

You can find more inspiration in the article Small Routines Instead of Big Resolutions with COPD.

New Year’s resolutions with COPD don’t have to be perfect. What matters is that they suit you, your illness, and your everyday life. Realistic health goals, well-embedded COPD therapy, and small routines create the basis for more stability and quality of life.

A new year doesn't mean doing everything again but rather moving on consciously, step by step.