No January blues - Cheer in 2022!
Wishing everyone a happy new year! Looking forward to lots of travel in 2022 and making up for what we have missed.
A thought for next Christmas - rent your tree!
Have you ever wondered what happens to all the Christmas trees; real and artificial once the festive fun is all over?
A couple have started up a business to let people rent their Christmas trees as part of Oxygen Project. This helps to reduce the amount of trees that simply end up in the landfill. Your tree gets replanted for you ready for next year.
On average, one tree produces nearly 260 pounds of oxygen each year. You may feel an artificial tree would be better as they are re-used each year but ultimately once disposed of they take a long time to decompose in a landfill. Recycling your real tree is the most environmental option to take.
Christmas Wishes
This year we want to bring more smiles to our faces! The team over at @oxygenworldwide would like to thank you for another year or support, kindness and following.
We wish you all a safe and healthy Christmas, Feliz Navidad.
Staying warm and well this winter
Winter is here. For many its a time to get excited for all the festivities as we warm up for spending time with loved ones, take a break or have some time out to see out the end of another (tough) year. But for many it can anticipate worry, anxiety and even cause for concern if you have a respiratory disease such as asthma, COPD or bronchitis. Many will be short of breath, coughing more or even not wanting to leave the house to avoid worsening conditions especially in times where coughing and having a cold makes many even more wary with Covid-19.
The best advice is to Keep Warm and to Keep Active. These two elements will help you be less severe and stay away from worsening your conditions. And the most important piece of advice is if you are unwell please do speak with you GP or doctor for further advice. Leaving the house may give many anxiety but a short walk in your local area and getting fresh air is so important for your physical and mental health.
Staying warm is important to keep your body temperature up. Carefully plan your ability to keep you house warm, wear extra layers of clothing and even thick socks and long-sleeved tops. Moving about will help to keep your temperature warm and strengthen those lungs which is very important at this time of year.
You may be travelling this winter to visit or be with your family so please do speak with our team for advice and arrangements to allow you one less thing to worry about when arranging medical oxygen on holiday.
3 tips to help manage COPD
With World COPD just passed it is still an important month to continue raising awareness of COPD.
The most important action you can take it taking care of yourself as you main goal each day. There are some simple day to day changes you can make to help manage this respiratory illness to help improve day to day life and management.
- Exercise - Now not everyone can or wants to exercise but walking and keep moving helps with breathing plus makes you healthier at the same time. It is important to take that morning stroll, walk to the shops or just meet friends and walk around parks and see the outside.
- Sleep - Everyone needs a good nights sleep but sleeping well each evening will help you get up for that walk each morning and start the day right. Lack of sleep will make you feel lethargic and not want to do anything.
- Look after yourself - with 'you' being the number one priority you must make sure you are looking after your mental health as well as your physical. Anxiety will decrease and also talking to others will help you feel better and express your feelings with other people.
For those who need medical oxygen to improve their breathing take a look at our resources and other articles over on our website here.
World COPD day
Today November 17th is World COPD Day!!!
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) across the many countries and regions raise awareness of COPD. It also gives a good channel to share thoughts and discuss with others about life with COPD.
To find out more please visit the GOLD website here for helpful resources and information.
Top foods for healthy lungs
Whether or not you have a respiratory condition such as COPD, asthma or even exposure to toxins or cigarette smoke, healthy lungs are important to maintain.
There has been some research into certain food groups that have good nutrition benefits to reduce damage and help to protect this vital organ.
Here are 5 foods that could help:
1. Cocoa - now we all love chocolate so putting this one top of the list! Dark chocolate contains lots of antioxidants which help to relax the airways.
2. Coffee - again a good second choice also with its antioxidants and caffeine. Caffeine helps to open up the blood vessels which benefits people with asthma conditions.
3. Tomatoes - These contain Lycopene which is a type of antioxidant so again a great food item to reduce inflammation.
4. Turmeric - Known for its positives it contains Curcumin which is what is needed to help health improvements.
5. Apples - Eating an apple a day is true, especially with its benefits and vitamin C. Apples may help towards reducing the risk of lung cancer.
Stay well this winter
For those that already have a long-term condition, winter can be made worse. It doesn't have to bring you down - all you need to do if this is you is be a bit more careful and you can enjoy these seasonal months.
Here are 3 main things you can do to help winter be easier
- Make sure you eat regularly and have hot drinks such as coffee, tea or lemon and honey in hot water. Its also great to bake and cook your own hot main meal of the day such as soup, casserole or cake
- Keep your home warm at about 18 degrees especially your bedroom for when you are asleep at night time
- Also check in on your neighbours and friends - if you cannot walk or drive then do catch up regularly via a phone call - conversation is great and also they will know you are ok and well
Thinking of booking a holiday?
For many the rules, the traffic light system was all too much to make the usual trip abroad. It seemed simpler and easier to stay at home. Recently for UK travellers the traffic system has been taken away making it much simpler to travel. It will have less extra cost now that PCR tests have also been scrapped. The only rules you need to be aware of is the country you are visiting and to stay clear of red countries (currently at time of writing only 7 are on this list). These are all based on if you are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers will still be required to take PCR tests before and after their travel.
Voila! Its now time to travel; so many short breaks to be had and get away for some winter sunshine, a city break or to see those you have been missing.
Don't forget travelling with medical oxygen needs also needn't be complicated. All you need is more organisation. That's why our team are on hand to help on that part - we just leave the destination to you! Contact us today to help with your plans.
Making memories this Christmas
This festive season many of us will be making up for lost time and making new memories with our loved ones. The last Christmas saw many separated, divided, lonely and not able to experience the warm, family-filled Christmas-time we all were hoping for.
Coronavirus although still very much a part of life has meant many will want to enjoy Christmas even more. Many will make travel to see loved ones, experience festive fun travels, all come together for food, fun and make up for lost time.
Whether you are hosting a special celebration, going to spend Christmas back home or jetting off for travels - make it special!
