Manage your symptoms

  • Take your prescribed medications, including your preventative steroid inhalers regularly so any viral illnesses don’t turn into serious attacks of asthma and COPD

  • Follow any action plan given to you by your nurse or doctor, or get your personalised guide from Asthma & Lung UK

  • Stay away from things that make your symptoms worse like smoke, mould, pollen, dust or strong smells

  • Keep active with gentle exercises like walking, yoga and swimming to make your lungs stronger. Ask your nurse or doctor before trying new exercises

  • If you notice your symptoms getting worse, tell your nurse or doctor right away

  • Reduce the risk of developing damp and mould in your house by making sure there is good ventilation and, if necessary, a dehumidifier

  • Drink enough water to help thin out mucus, so it’s easier to cough it up

  • Eat a healthy, balanced diet to stop you becoming unwell and keep your lungs and the rest of your body healthy

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Get vaccinated

Getting vaccinated is a simple and effective way to stay healthy during winter, especially for people with asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).

Getting vaccinated can help:

  • Protect you from getting really sick: breathing problems can make it harder for your body to fight off germs like flu, pneumonia, COVID-19, and other viruses. These germs can make your condition worse – more coughing, wheezing and breathlessness which may sometimes mean you need to go to hospital
  • Vaccines strengthen your body and so reduce the chances of flare-ups to your breathing, so you are less likely to need to come to hospital
  • Protect the people around you: Getting vaccinated helps stop you from spreading germs to others, especially to people who also have health problems

For more information, please visit the Stay Well Dorset page.

Quit smoking

Quitting smoking has lots of good effects, both right away and later, especially for people with breathing problems. Smoking makes lung problems worse, but stopping can help your lungs heal. Some benefits of quitting smoking include:

  • After just a few weeks, your lungs start to work better. You’ll breathe easier, cough less, and have less mucus

  • You’ll have less swelling in your lungs, and breathing problems like coughing and wheezing can get better

  • You might need to go to the hospital less often because your breathing will improve

  • You’ll need your inhalers and medicines less often

  • Your medicines will work better

  • You’ll have a lower chance of getting lung infections

  • You’ll find it easier to take part in physical activities

  • Quitting can slow down serious lung problems like COPD (a disease that makes it hard to breathe)

  • You’ll lower your risk of getting lung cancer, as well as other cancers

  • You will save a lot of money, which you can spend on other, more enjoyable, things

For more information, visit Live Well Dorset website.

Stay well at home

During winter, we spend more time inside, which means you need to be more careful about your home environment.

Take care of any dampness and mould in your home: dampness and mould can make it harder to breathe. It can:

  • Irritate your lungs, which can lead to coughing, wheezing, and feeling out of breath

  • Increase the risk of infections: living with mould can make you more likely to get chest infections, which can make your breathing problems worse

  • Trigger allergies: mould can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, and stuffy noses, which can make it harder for you to breathe

  • Weaken your immune system: your body has a harder time fighting off germs and getting better from sickness

By keeping your home dry and mould-free, you can help protect your lungs and stop your condition from getting worse.

  • Let fresh air in. Open windows or use fans to keep air moving and help reduce dampness
  • Fix leaks: if you see any leaks in your roof, walls, or pipes, get them fixed right away to stop water from making things damp
  • Use a dehumidifier: this is a machine that helps take moisture out of the air, which can stop mould from growing
  • Clean up mould: if you find mould, clean it as soon as possible using soap and water or special mould cleaners

For more information on how to treat damp and mould in your home, including advice for tenants and landlords, please visit:

Look after your mental health

Winter can be a tough time, especially for anyone with a lung condition. It’s really important to take care of your mental health. Here are some ways you can feel better during winter:

  • Stay active: gentle exercises like walking, yoga and swimming can make you feel happier and less stressed. Ask your doctor before starting new exercises

  • Go outside: if the weather is nice, try to get some fresh air and sunlight each day to help improve your mood

  • Talk to friends and family or join a group where you can talk to others

  • Practice relaxation: try deep breathing or relaxing activities like meditation to calm your min

  • Do fun activities: spend time on hobbies you enjoy, like art, reading or puzzles

  • Eat healthy and drink water: eating good food and staying hydrated helps keep you feeling well

  • Get enough sleep: make sure you rest and sleep enough each night

  • Set small goals: try to do little things each day to feel proud of yourself

  • Talk to your doctor: if you’re feeling really sad or worried, ask your doctor for help

For more information visit Stay Well Dorset.

For more information on looking after your wellbeing in winter, and how to stay well in cold weather, please visit:

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