More Energy, Less Breathlessness: Tips To Preserve Independence With COPD
Lung & RespiratoryCOPD

More Energy, Less Breathlessness: 5 Tips to Preserve Independence With COPD

More Energy, Less Breathlessness: 5 Tips to Preserve Independence With COPD
Everyday Health
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Published on July 8, 2026
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When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), routine tasks like housekeeping, dressing, grocery shopping, or even moving around the house can lead to exhaustion owing to several factors.

“Fatigue for someone with COPD can be caused by low blood oxygen, a higher amount of energy needed for breathing, poor sleep, being out of shape, depressed mood, and possible cardiovascular disease,” says Jimmy Johannes, MD, a pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist at MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center in California.

Because it can be challenging to address all these variables, a good first step toward having more energy is to adjust daily habits in meaningful ways, he says.

1. Pace Yourself and Sit During Daily Activities

The key with COPD is energy conservation. It can be useful to visualize yourself as having a certain “bank” of energy for the day and to be savvy about how you make “withdrawals.” That might mean modifying daily routines so each task takes less energy.

For example, consider sitting while showering (using a sturdy shower chair) and while brushing your teeth, says Dr. Johannes. You can also sit while doing chores like folding laundry, washing dishes, or weeding a garden bed.

Even when sitting, pay attention to how long it takes before you start feeling tired, and get in the habit of scheduling breaks for yourself before it gets to that point. For instance, if you usually feel drained after 20 minutes of a task, plan to take a break after 15 minutes (before you are exhausted).

Pacing yourself also means spacing out energy-intensive tasks throughout the week, Johannes says. Trying to go to a doctor's appointment, do some grocery shopping, and drop off packages at the post office during one outing will likely be especially taxing. Even if it's convenient to pack activities like these into one day, you'll likely be more breathless by the time you get home, he says.

2. Use Assistive Devices

Adaptive tools and assistive devices may be helpful because they can reduce fatigue while walking or doing tasks, says Johannes. There are several types:

  • Walker or rollator with a seat, which can be used to take a break while walking
  • Mobility scooter for shopping
  • Shower chair and grab bars
  • Handheld shower head to limit raising the arms overhead when washing your hair
  • Raised toilet seat to make sitting and standing easier
  • Long-handled shoehorn and sock aid to reduce bending over
  • Wheeled cart to move items around the home

Smart home assistants can also be useful, since you can use voice commands to play music, adjust the thermostat, turn on lights, and lock the door, all while minimizing physical exertion. All these items can conserve energy while helping you feel more independent and in control, says Johannes.

3. Consider Pulmonary Rehab

Pulmonary rehabilitation is a specialized program that’s like physical therapy for your lungs. It can be a crucial way to improve energy levels and learn about the tools, habits, and breathing exercises needed to sustain this improved energy.

“This supervised exercise and education program helps those with COPD improve cardiopulmonary conditioning, improve muscle strength, and improve confidence with day-to-day activities,” says Johannes. “It can also teach about adaptations like pursed-lip breathing, taking frequent breaks, and using supplemental oxygen when needed.”

4. Build Strength Gradually

Because COPD can easily lead to fatigue, it's common for those with the condition to limit or avoid exercise, Johannes says. Inactivity can backfire, however, because exercise improves heart and lung fitness, increases muscle strength, and enhances overall mobility, he says.

“The most important intervention for those with COPD is to gradually increase their physical activity because it has so many benefits,” he says. Exercise may seem like it will decrease energy, and that may happen in the short term, but it will aid in boosting capacity and stamina in the long run, he says.

Because there are considerations to keep in mind when exercising with COPD, it’s important to work with a trainer who is familiar with this condition. Talk with your health provider to see if there's a physical therapist within your health system as a starting point.

5. Eat Small Meals and a Healthy Diet

What you eat can significantly influence your COPD symptoms, because a poor diet can raise the risk of infections, reduce your overall strength, and boost the chances of developing other conditions that can complicate your COPD. All of that can sap your energy.

An eating plan that works well with COPD is the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats such as avocados and olive oil.

Having smaller meals more frequently is also helpful, because it takes energy to digest food, says Tessy Peter, MD, a specialist in pulmonary medicine, critical care medicine, and internal medicine at Episcopal Health Services in Far Rockaway, New York. Large meals that require a lot of energy to process can drain your energy reserves for everyday tasks.

“Bigger meals and overeating also raise the risk of shortness of breath, especially for those with excess weight or who have obesity,” she says. That's because the stomach has to expand to accommodate the food, which can push against the diaphragm and temporarily limit lung capacity.

Talk to Your Doctor

If you've been modifying your daily activities and still find that you tire quickly and you're short of breath with even modest effort, it's important to talk to your doctor, says Dr. Peter. You may need to be assessed for underlying conditions contributing to your fatigue, or to change your COPD treatment to improve your oxygen levels.

In general, COPD can't be completely alleviated by lifestyle modifications, but even small changes that help you use your energy wisely throughout the day can go a long way toward making you more comfortable and improving your quality of life.

Resources We Trust

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. COPD: Coping With Fatigue. UMass Memorial Health.
  2. Conserving Energy and Managing Your Daily Activities. American Lung Association. January 20, 2026.
  3. Pulmonary Rehabilitation. American Lung Association. May 21, 2026.
  4. Physical Activity and COPD. American Lung Association. January 20, 2026.
  5. What to Eat When You Have COPD. Cleveland Clinic. April 26, 2024.
  6. Burkhart L. COPD Eating Tips: How to Make Mealtimes Easier and Breathe Better. Breathe Strong America. July 20, 2025.
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David Mannino, MD

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David Mannino, MD, is the chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation. He has a long history of research and engagement in respiratory health.

After completing medical training as ...

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