Why small routines are often more effective than big resolutions with COPD

Small routines are recurring actions that require little time and energy but are performed regularly. In the context of COPD, they are not about increasing performance, but about creating stability and a sense of security in daily life.

A small routine may be a short breathing exercise in the morning, a conscious recovery break after physical exertion, or regularly observing your COPD symptoms. What matters most is not the duration or intensity, but repetition. Routines provide structure and help anchor therapy elements firmly in everyday life.

Unlike big resolutions, small routines can be adjusted easily. If your capacity is lower on a given day, the routine can be shortened or simplified instead of being skipped entirely.

Breathing techniques are particularly well suited for small routines. They can be applied in a targeted way, require no equipment, and can be flexibly integrated into daily activities. Many people with COPD use breathing techniques to relieve breathlessness or recover more quickly after exertion.

Regular breathing therapy in short sessions can help build confidence in managing your own breathing. Applying learned techniques consciously in everyday situations—such as climbing stairs or coping with cold air—can also become part of a stable routine.

How breathing techniques can be integrated into realistic goal setting is explained in the article Setting Realistic Health Goals with COPD.

A common mistake with resolutions is trying to establish several routines at the same time. For people with COPD, it is usually more effective to start with one small routine. This routine can then be expanded or complemented gradually.

Examples of small, everyday routines include:

• practicing a short breathing exercise while seated in the morning
• consciously planning rest after physical activity
• taking a daily moment to observe breathing
• using breathing techniques deliberately during exertion

These routines require little time and can be adapted easily to different daily conditions. They support COPD therapy without creating additional stress.

COPD does not progress in a linear way. Good days alternate with more difficult phases. Small routines take these fluctuations into account and allow for adjustments. On challenging days, a routine can be shortened; on more stable days, it may be extended slightly.

This flexibility is essential for maintaining routines in the long term. Allowing yourself to adapt routines helps you stay connected to your therapy, rather than giving up due to rigid expectations.

Motivation often comes from the feeling of being able to manage something. Small routines encourage this feeling by creating regular moments of success. Additional insights on motivation can be found in Small Routines Instead of Big Resolutions with COPD.

To recognize the value of small routines, it is helpful to make them visible. Recording breathing exercises, symptoms, or personal limits can help put changes into perspective. Especially with advanced COPD, small improvements may not be immediately noticeable, but they can have a meaningful impact over time.

Documenting routines also supports communication with healthcare professionals. It makes it easier to assess which measures are helpful in everyday life and where adjustments to COPD therapy may be beneficial.

For a broader perspective on why realistic approaches to New Year’s resolutions matter, see the pillar article New Year’s Resolutions: Health Goals | Breathment.

Small routines are not a replacement for medical therapy, but they are a valuable addition. They help people with COPD integrate therapy into everyday life and stay consistent over time. Thanks to their flexibility, they adapt to fluctuating capacity and reduce the risk of overload.

Instead of big resolutions, small routines offer a stable foundation for greater confidence, structure, and self-trust in everyday life with COPD.