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Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) means navigating each day with care, flexibility, and persistence. For Joanne Carey, a member of MyCOPDTeam, managing symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and congestion requires a daily routine built around movement, rest, planning, and emotional balance.
“Every day is different, as I try to stay busy,” Joanne said. After leaving a demanding career, she found new ways to stay active, manage her health, and enjoy life on her own terms. Her story shows how routines can be empowering, even with the ups and downs of COPD.
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Each morning brings a new set of challenges for Joanne, especially when breathing feels most difficult. “Worst times are first thing in the morning, when I’m congested and achy from lying down overnight,” she said. To ease into the day, she starts with a warm drink, like hot cocoa or broth, and begins breathing exercises to clear her lungs.
Throughout the day, movement and social engagement play a major role in managing Joanne’s symptoms and mood.
“I try to keep busy every day, as it’s too easy to fall into a depression if you are having a bad day,” she shared. Whether it’s walking, swimming, playing cards, or bowling with friends, she makes it a point to have a reason to get out of bed.
Breathing exercises are also key. “I practice pursed lip breathing any time my ring alerts me to an oxygen saturation drop,” she explained, referring to the oxygen monitoring ring she wears. Although she’s supposed to use supplemental oxygen around the clock, insurance barriers have limited her access to a portable machine, so she relies on close monitoring and breathing techniques when she’s away from home.
Exercise has always been important to Joanne. “I was always very active, singing, swimming, boating, horseback riding, fishing, walking,” she said.
Each week, Joanne walks 10 to 20 miles and swims several times at the YMCA. “I try to get in at least 150 minutes of gentle cardio each week,” she said. After four years of persistence, she was finally accepted into a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which helped her learn to exercise safely and build confidence in her body’s capabilities.
On low-energy days, rest is essential. “I nap daily,” she said.
Planning is just as critical. “I preplan all activities to ensure I’ll have enough energy … and use the ‘spoon theory’ for how to spread out my energy ‘spoons.’” The spoon theory is a way for people with chronic conditions to describe limited energy by imagining they start each day with a set number of “spoons” to spend on daily tasks. Once the spoons are used up, their energy is gone.
One powerful lesson came from Joanne’s pulmonary rehab program — learning how to set activity goals that are realistic for her personal health. She also takes inspiration from others. “I’m a huge fan of Russell Winwood, the COPD athlete out of Australia, even though I couldn’t run a 26-mile marathon if my life depended on it,” she said.
“We each hold the keys to our own version of wellness, and it’s up to us to figure out how to be active safely,” Joanne said.
Eating well with COPD can be tricky, especially with food sensitivities. Joanne focuses on a high-protein diet of “beans, meat, eggs, milk, and cheese,” and avoids foods that trigger her symptoms. When possible, she uses the glycemic index and reference books to make informed choices. If you’re curious about what type of diet might be right for you with COPD, talk to your healthcare provider.
Hydration is a daily balancing act. “My goal and daily average is between 80 and 120 ounces of water each day,” she said. To track everything — hydration, food, symptoms, and activity — she keeps a wellness journal.
Preventing COPD flare-ups means staying proactive — getting enough rest, using masks during cold and flu season, and keeping in touch with her pulmonologist when symptoms arise.
Living with COPD affects more than just the lungs. To support her emotional health, Joanne turns to journaling, music, TV, and live entertainment. “I love seeing live comedians,” she said. Planning future events gives her something to look forward to, like budgeting for a comedy show in January.
Joanne has also worked with a life coach trained in chronic illness and a pulmonologist who specializes in sports medicine. “I’m expected to have an opinion and participate in my own care versus simply doing what he thinks is best,” she said.
Evenings are a time to unwind and reflect. Joanne often updates her wellness journal, watches TV, or plays a game online. “In general, I live my days three to six months ahead,” she said, “booking events to look forward to either on my own or with friends.”
She also spends time researching COPD treatments and other health tools — whatever it takes to continue growing and thriving.
To anyone newly diagnosed with COPD, Joanne encourages them to give themselves grace, let go of blame, and stay open to joy.
“Find a way to be kind to yourself and accept what you cannot change,” she said. “You’re not dead yet, so don’t prematurely bury yourself.”
On MyCOPDTeam, people share their experiences with COPD, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
What’s your daily routine with COPD? Let others know in the comments below.
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