COPD: Lifestyle Management This information was reviewed and approved by Russell P. Bowler, MD, PhD, Irina Petrache, MD (2/28/2021). A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, but is especially important for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).In this section, learn about different areas of your life where you can make changes and develop healthy habits to live a more active life with COPD.Topics include:Breathing ExercisesAvoiding InfectionsTechniques to Bring Up MucusNutritionExercisesGiving Up SmokingManaging Your Environment Clinical Trials Potential New Treatment for Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency