Helpful New Year's Resolutions for Dealing with Asthma

New Year’s Day is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and make plans for the year to come. If you’ve struggled with asthma management this past year, here are five New Year’s resolutions that can help you have a healthier, happier 2016.

1. Create/Update Your Asthma Action Plan

   Everyone living with asthma should have an Asthma Action Plan. If you don’t have one, talk to your healthcare provider about creating one. If you do, now is the perfect time to make sure it’s up to date for your current asthma situation.

2. Use Peak Flow Meters to Monitor Your Asthma

   Peak flow meters help you monitor your asthma and can detect problems long before you notice the symptoms. Just blow into the device, and it will measure your lung function. Daily readings let you know how effective your asthma management is and when an asthma attack is more likely to occur.

3. Get Exercise

   Exercise strengthens your lungs and increases your overall health. Talk to your healthcare provider about an exercise plan that’s right for you. And don’t forget your rescue inhaler.

4. Get the Flu Shot

   The flu is a major asthma trigger. Getting a flu shot not only helps guard against an asthma attack; it also stops the flu from spreading and affecting the more vulnerable members of the population.

5. Quit Smoking

   If you smoke, the new year is a perfect time to quit. Quitting smoking will be a huge help to your asthma management. It also helps your lungs and heart, and lowers your risk of cancer and diabetes. There are many great tools, products and programs to help you quit, including Freedom From Smoking Online.