I have severe asthma, but I've learned that having asthma doesn't mean I have to avoid exercise, it means I need to understand my body, know my triggers, and be prepared.
When I'm experiencing a flare-up, I'm much more mindful about when, where and how I exercise.
One of my biggest personal triggers is cold evening and night air, so during a flare I avoid exercising outdoors later in the day and opt for daytime exercise where possible. I also find icy-cold drinks can aggravate my symptoms, so I choose room-temperature water instead.
I also make sure I complete a slow and thorough warm-up before moving into anything more strenuous. Rather than jumping straight into higher-intensity exercise, I gradually increase the intensity and give my breathing and airways time to adjust.
I always have my reliever puffer with me when I exercise. Where possible, I also carry a spacer, as it can help more of the medication reach my lungs and makes correct inhaler technique easier.
I also pay attention to how I'm feeling. If my asthma symptoms are worsening or I'm struggling to breathe normally, that isn't something I try to "push through".
Why I Still Exercise
It can be tempting to avoid exercise when you have asthma, particularly if you've experienced breathlessness or asthma symptoms during activity. But when my asthma is appropriately managed, regular exercise is actually an important part of looking after my overall health and fitness.
Exercise doesn't cure asthma or replace asthma medication, but regular physical activity can improve cardiovascular fitness and exercise capacity. As I become fitter, my body can perform the same activities more efficiently, meaning everyday tasks and exercise can feel less demanding.
Regular exercise can also help support muscular strength, healthy body composition, mental wellbeing and confidence with physical activity. All of which are valuable for people living with a chronic respiratory condition.
For me, the goal isn't to avoid anything that makes me breathe harder. It's to exercise safely, understand the difference between normal exercise-related breathlessness and my asthma symptoms, and adapt when my asthma isn't well controlled.
Having severe asthma has taught me that exercise doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. With good asthma management, awareness of my personal triggers and the right precautions, I can still stay active — I just sometimes need to adapt what exercise looks like for me that day.
This is my personal experience with asthma and isn't a substitute for an individual asthma action plan or medical advice.
Living with asthma doesn't mean sitting on the sidelines — it means training smart.
Talk to one of our exercise physiologists about a program built around your condition.
Book in with the Valen Health team today