How I Live Day to Day With Sleep Apnea

So, what’s it like living day-to-day with sleep apnea? I wanted to discuss what I do each day to deal with my condition. I hope these tips help you manage your sleep apnea so you feel a whole lot better.

I keep a schedule

I try to maintain a schedule where I get up at the same time and go to bed at the same time. It’s important to form habits as this helps keep you on track. You can establish other habits as well, such as a cleaning habit where you always clean your mask and other equipment on a certain date or at a certain time.

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Reduce stress

I try to reduce stress as much as possible as this makes it easier to go to sleep at night and feel a whole lot better. I play guitar to reduce my stress or listen to music. A good walk, a hot bath, or anything else that relaxes you are other options.

I found that reducing my stress made my initial anxiety about sleep apnea a lot better. Some people like to use meditation or other relaxation techniques. You should do what works the best for you to manage your stress in the best way.

Community

Your daily life with sleep apnea is a whole lot better if you get involved with the community. Forums and chat groups are so beneficial because you can discuss your issues with others that are going through the same thing you are.

You may find it hard to discuss some things with your sleep therapist or doctor. It’s a lot easier to ask questions and get the answers you seek from the community. You may also pick up some useful tips and tricks along the way to help you manage your apnea day-to-day.

Diet and exercise

I try to maintain a healthy diet. Some people can reduce the severity of their sleep apnea by losing some weight. While weight loss is no guarantee that you’ll improve your sleep apnea, it can’t hurt. I also feel better and sleep better if I maintain a good diet. The same can be said for exercise. I try to move around as much as I can, which makes it easier for me to fall asleep.

I stay positive

It’s sometimes hard to remain positive when you have a health condition, but you should always try. You’ll find it easier to deal with issues when you have a positive mindset. Focus on the good things in your life, such as your family, pets, friends, and this will keep your mind off of your apnea.

Turn to the sleep apnea community if you need some extra encouragement or want to ask a question that you’re not sure of. It’s important to remember that you’re not the only one that suffers from apnea and that you’ll find a ton of positive support from others.

I use my mask

I still don’t like my sleep apnea mask, and I never will, but I make it a habit to use it as much as possible. There are some nights where I get frustrated with it. I still make it a point to wear my mask all the time, as I know this is the best thing I can do for my apnea.

My CPAP mask is now a natural part of my life. I grumble about it, but it’s now a nightly habit I can’t ignore. My mask goes on, and I wake up feeling a whole lot better than I used to feel.

I accept the bad days

Sometimes things don’t go right. I don’t feel like eating healthy, my schedule is out of whack, or I had a bad night with my mask. My day-to-day life with sleep apnea includes those bad days.

I accept them and move on the next day. It’s important not to beat yourself up if you fail to wear your mask. Like anything in life, you can always try again.

Day-to-day life doesn’t have to change much when you have sleep apnea. Do your best to take care of yourself, wear your mask, and become a member of the sleep apnea community. There’s no need to suffer from this condition on your own.