3 min read

Lifestyle changes

Your loved one's treatment team may have the medical background about pulmonary fibrosis and its management, but you know how they're affected on a day-to-day basis

Two ladies taking a friendly selfie

Practical changes

Making changes to the home environment can help your loved one take care of their lungs. It’s important for them to stay away from any allergens or irritants. Make sure to remove all aerosol products from the home as well as strongly scented cleaning or household products. It will also be beneficial for them to avoid any second-hand cigarette smoke.

Day-to-Day changes

It’s important to encourage your loved one to make lifestyle changes and stick with them, as they will help them manage their symptoms better.

Remind them that smoking is one of the biggest influences on their lung health: 

Quitting smoking can be very difficult for your loved one living with pulmonary fibrosis. Let them know that they should celebrate their victories by focusing on their success, rather than the difficulties associated with staying smoke-free. If they are struggling with this, discuss whether they’d find it helpful to join a support group or find a network online

Encourage them to talk about how they feel: 

Talking something through and knowing that someone is there to listen and understand can help your loved one feel much better and give them a new perspective on what they’re experiencing

Remind them to do the things that make them happy: 

Find time to do things they enjoy, whether it’s cooking, seeing friends or listening to music. Taking up a new hobby can also help boost confidence and occupy their mind

Motivate them to do physical activity:

Staying active can help reduce any feelings of depression and anxiety and boost self-confidence. Light activities like gardening or gentle walking are a good place to start if you think they’re not used to doing a lot of physical activity

Remind them of the importance of a balanced diet and good night’s rest:

Eating healthily can help both their physical and mental health. Eating a balanced diet at regular meal-times will help your loved one feel healthier and support a positive mindset. Remind your loved one that trouble sleeping can have an impact on their mental wellbeing. If they find they are having trouble sleeping, encourage them to speak to their treatment team about it

You can help your loved one make small changes that can have a big impact on their wellbeing

Also in this section

Discover more
Woman smiling with cup in hand

Monitoring symptoms in pulmonary fibrosis

Remind your loved one to monitor any changes in symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis as these can indicate to their doctor how well their condition is being managed
Learn more
Planning for a bad day

Planning for a bad day

Knowing that you're prepared for the tougher days can give you some peace of mind and help your overall sense of wellbeing
“Keep smiling, keep positive and make the most of what you can do”