Being put on oxygen will completely change your life—you will feel better, have more energy, and with the right oxygen concentrator, you’ll be able to live an active life. Additionally, there are certain lifestyle changes you can make and habits you should develop in order to enjoy that active life to the fullest. Consider these five best habits to get into when being put on oxygen so you can live a full and healthy life.

Safety Habits

Oxygen is considered a fire hazard and causes flames to burn hotter and faster. There are certain safety habits you should enact after you are put on oxygen in order to protect yourself and those in your household from this hazard. Keep in mind, your extra oxygen tanks can also pose a safety risk if they are not stored properly.

Fire Safety

The first safety habit to get into is following standard fire safety precautions. Do not smoke or allow anyone in your household to smoke within six feet of you when using an oxygen concentrator, whether inside or outside. Stay at least six feet away from any open flames, including barbeque grills, candles, and fireplaces. Do not use any flammable products while also using oxygen, including cleaners and aerosol sprays. Avoid using heated products, such as hair dryers, and avoid materials that could spark due to static electricity, such as polyester bedsheets and clothing. Always keep a fire extinguisher in your home in case of an emergency.

Storage Safety

You also need to get into the habit of storing your extra oxygen tanks properly. Oxygen tanks should be stored in an upright position where they cannot be knocked over, or laid on their side in a position that prevents them from rolling or moving in any way. If an oxygen tank falls over or rolls into an obstacle that loosens the valve, it can become mobile and capable of smashing through a cinderblock wall. Also, make sure the area used for storing your extra tanks is properly ventilated.

Health Habits

Your doctor likely prescribed oxygen to help you live a healthier life; there are certain health habits you can take up in order to fully maximize the benefits of being on oxygen, such as eating well and exercising.

Eating Habits

Eating well is an important way to take care of your entire body, including your lungs. Certain nutrients can even help your lungs work better; when eating, prioritize these nutrients. Vitamins A, C, and E can all help lung function, along with zinc, potassium, selenium, and magnesium. Iron, nitrates, B12, and folic acid can also help your body better transport and absorb oxygen, so it would be beneficial to prioritize foods rich in these elements as well. Proper hydration can also help with oxygen transportation through your blood.

Foods rich in vitamin A include cheese, eggs, oily fish, milk, yogurt, liver, and liver products. You can find vitamin C in citrus fruits and juices, peppers, strawberries, black currants, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and potatoes. Vitamin E is in plant oils such as corn and olive oil, nuts and seeds, and wheat germ. You will probably want to look for wheatgerm as one of the main ingredients in wheat products such as cereal.

Look for zinc in foods such as meat, shellfish, dairy products, cereal products, and bread. You’ll find potassium in bananas, broccoli, beans, nuts and seeds, fish, beef, chicken, and turkey. Selenium can be found in Brazil nuts, fish, meat, and eggs. And magnesium is in spinach, nuts, and wholemeal bread.

Iron can be found in liver, red meats, beans, nuts, dried fruits, fortified breakfast cereals, and soybean flour. You can find nitrates in green leafy vegetables, beetroot, radishes, turnips, celery, onion, garlic, watermelon, peaches, fish, dairy products, and more. There is plenty of B12 in beef, liver, chicken, eggs, fish, shellfish, milk, yogurt, and cheese. And folic acid is in green leafy vegetables, broccoli, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, liver, and fortified breakfast cereals.

Exercise Habits

Exercise promotes blood circulation throughout your body, which means your blood can better deliver oxygen. Regular exercise can also strengthen your muscles, which helps your lungs function better. Unfortunately, certain exercises aren’t safe for people on oxygen, so be mindful of that when choosing your workouts.

Low-impact cardiovascular exercises, such as indoor cycling, are great choices to safely get your heart pumping. Other low-impact exercises include tai chi, yoga, walking, Pilates, and using an elliptical. Water aerobics and total resistance suspension training are also low-impact workouts, but should not be done while actively using oxygen. If you only use oxygen occasionally, ask your doctor if you can participate in these exercises.

Lifestyle Habits

There are certain lifestyle habits you can take up in order to best live your life on oxygen; this includes making space in your home to safely store your extra oxygen tanks and other equipment and accessories, and rearranging your home to better accommodate your oxygen equipment. If you use a portable oxygen concentrator on wheels, you may need to reconsider your home’s layout so you can easily take your oxygen with you to various rooms.

You may also need to reconsider the primary cook in your home if you use a gas stove. As previously mentioned, you cannot use oxygen near an open flame or heat source, so the kitchen may not be a safe place for you. If you are the primary cook in your household before starting oxygen—and you need to use oxygen all the time—you will need to reconsider who does the cooking. If you only use oxygen occasionally, talk to your doctor about taking it off for cooking.

Lastly, if your pre-oxygen lifestyle included a lot of travel, you’ll have to get into the habit of planning for your oxygen needs while traveling; talk to your doctor about your travel destination and the duration of your trip. For extra safety, ask for a copy of your oxygen prescription and take it with you. If you’re planning to use commercial travel such as a plane, bus, or ship, communicate your oxygen usage to the travel company in advance. Also, make sure that your oxygen concentrator will properly function in each climate you encounter, including the high altitude on a plane and humidity at sea.

Fire safety, storage safety, eating well, exercising, and various lifestyle changes are all excellent habits to get into when being put on oxygen. If you’ve recently started using oxygen and are looking for a home oxygen concentrator for sale, Bridge to Care is happy to help you find the best machine for your needs. We offer portable oxygen, home oxygen, and refurbished oxygen machines so you can stay within your budget and get exactly what you need.

The 5 Best Habits To Get Into When Being Put On Oxygen