Coping with COPD: Getting Enough Sleep

Central to maintaining an active lifestyle, adequate sleep is also an important tool in coping with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That is because without the proper rest, you will have less energy and fewer resources for coping with the many stressors related to COPD. This, in turn, will make it more difficult for you to perform routine activities and lead the life you wish.

Unfortunately, entering restful sleep each night is difficult for some. If this is the case for you, the following tips may help you enter a more restful sleep on a regular basis:

• Do not go to bed until you are tired.
• Develop specific bedtime rituals and stick to them on a daily basis.
• Do not watch television, read, or eat in bed.
• Do not engage in exercise or strenuous activity immediate before bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine throughout the day.
• If you find yourself becoming tired during the day, avoid taking a nap.
• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, including on the weekends.

By putting these tips into practice, your body’s clock will adjust and allow you to enter into restful sleep with ease, leaving you to be more active during the day. However, if you find that you are still having a difficult time sleeping, consult with your doctor.