Zen Garden
Why is it important to look after your mental as well as physical health?
What’s in the Zen Garden and how could it help you?
The Zen Garden provides you with guidance on how to recognise, track and manage your mental health and gives you additional support while on your OFEV® therapy.
The information provided is not a substitute for any advice given to you by your medical team or information within the patient information leaflet in your medicine pack.
- Living with PPF can affect you emotionally (your mental health), as well as physically. Your physical and mental health are equally important1–3
- Talking about your condition and how you are feeling can help you focus on what is important in your life
- There are techniques and strategies to help you manage your physical and mental well-being
The Zen Garden is divided into the following sections:
Improving physical and mental health
Communicating with friends and family, focusing on the things you enjoy, getting enough physical activity and having a good diet and improving your sleep.
Improving physical and mental well-being
Communicating with friends and family
Many people avoid talking about how their condition is affecting them physically and mentally, but discussing feelings and concerns openly may help you manage your condition and receive support if you need it. This can sometimes be difficult, so here are some tips that might help you:
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Be honest and open |
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Family and friends may feel anxious or worried too, especially if they help to care for you. Being honest with them can help you process how you are feeling, together |
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Choose a way to communicate that is right for you |
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If you find it difficult to communicate face-to-face, why not try talking on the phone or writing down how you feel? |
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Pick a suitable time and place |
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Find somewhere you feel comfortable when discussing difficult topics. Try to find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed |
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Try to use examples of how you feel |
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They can help you explain how you're feeling. If you are feeling sad or frustrated, it can help to explain why you may feel that way, for instance, here are some examples of thoughts and feelings patients with PPF may have: |
“I’ve been feeling really down and anxious, but talking about it in person makes me feel really uncomfortable”
“Do you think we can text each other about how we are feeling?”
“I didn’t realise how bad my breathing was really until I started taking this medication and saw how good it could be. So glad to be on this medication!”
Focusing on the things you enjoy
When you have physical health problems, such as a lung condition like PPF, you often feel breathless.
Breathlessness can stop you doing things you enjoy. As a result, you may feel low in your mood and a vicious cycle develops. It might be difficult, but taking time to do something you enjoy can have a positive effect on your mood. Here are some ideas to consider:
Seeing friends and family
Consider activities that aren’t physically demanding, such as playing a board game or watching a film together.
Listening to music
Putting on your favourite songs can help lift your spirits.
Dedicating time to your hobbies
Spending time on hobbies can improve your mental health and well-being. You might not be able to manage hobbies in the same way you used to, but there may be ways to still enjoy your hobby with a few adaptations. Trying something new can also be beneficial!
Spending time outside and in nature
Spending time in nature has been associated with good health and well-being;4,5 take advantage of spending time in nature when you can.
If you find your breathlessness is significantly impacting your daily life, or you experience sudden worsening of your symptoms, speak to your medical team.
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Physical activity
Breathlessness can affect how physically active you are. If you are less active, you can become deconditioned, which means loss of physical strength or weakness in muscle tone and it can make you feel tired and weak. Regular physical activity can help you keep as fit as possible, help you maintain a healthy weight, as well as improve sleep and help your mental health.
Exercise Area
Speak to your medical team about pulmonary rehabilitation and develop a physical education programme tailored for you.
Diet
A good diet helps to give you energy and bolster your immune system and, in conjunction with physical activity, helps keep your weight steady.
Picnic Area
You may experience gastrointestinal discomfort as a result of your OFEV® therapy. Speak to your medical team about which foods may help to ease these side effects.
Improving your sleep
Poor sleep can sometimes be due to your condition. If you are experiencing poor sleep then speaking to your GP can help you work out why.
Here are some general tips to help you improve sleep:
- Go to sleep and wake up at the same time
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol, where possible, in the evening
- Avoid light from your TV, phone or computer for a couple of hours before bed
- Keep your bedroom cool
- Position your head higher than your body and sleep on your side
- Try to avoid a large meal too late into the evening
Speak to your medical team if you experience breathing difficulties when sleeping.
Changing sleeping positions can help with breathlessness at night
Note: The content of the link above is hosted by a third party and not owned by Boehringer Ingelheim. The link is provided for convenience only.
Breathlessness and mental health
Breathlessness and emotional well-being
- Anxiety, panic and fear are normal emotions when feeling breathless
- There are techniques that can help manage these feelings, such as breathing exercises and grounding techniques
- These techniques can be used when you are not feeling breathless, but still feel anxious, worried or sad
If you find your breathlessness is significantly impacting your daily life, or you experience sudden worsening of your symptoms, speak to your medical team.
Approaching breathlessness differently
Breathlessness is a normal part of PPF. Sometimes you may also find that breathlessness affects your mood. You may feel frightened, anxious or even panicky.
Breathing techniques
Tracking your mood
A mood tracker is a good way to keep a record of how you have been feeling, especially as a way to look back at positive things you’ve enjoyed or achieved.
Mood tracker resource
Additional information
Beyond the Pills: Physical and mental well-being
References
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Lee YJ, et al. PLoS One 2017;12:e0184300;
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Lee JYT, et al. Eur Respir Rev 2020;29:190125;
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Mental Health Foundation. Physical and mental health. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/physical-health-and-mental-health. Last accessed: February 2023;
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White MP, et al. Sci Rep 2019;9:7730;
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Mind. How nature benefits mental health. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/nature-and-mental-health/how-nature-benefits-mental-health/. Last accessed: February 2023.
NP-GB-103030 | July 2024
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If you live in the UK and you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the yellow card scheme at https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. If you live in the Republic of Ireland and you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Health Products Regulatory Authority at www.hpra.ie or by email to medsafety@hpra.ie. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. |
THIS WEBSITE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BY BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM AND IS INTENDED FOR PEOPLE WITH PROGRESSIVE PULMONARY FIBROSIS WHO HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED OFEV® (NINTEDANIB).
This website is intended for people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis who have been prescribed treatment with OFEV® (nintedanib). OFEV® is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), or other chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) that are showing signs of progression and these diseases are referred to on this website collectively as ‘progressive pulmonary fibrosis’ (PPF).
This website aims to provide you with information about your disease and how to manage your symptoms or the side effects of your treatment, as well as to give you details on holistic support available.
The information on this website has been developed to enhance, but not replace, the advice and help of your medical team. If you have any questions after reading this website, or any further concerns, always talk to your medical team – i.e., a nurse, doctor or pharmacist – they are here to help you.
You’ll also find more information about OFEV® in your Patient Information Leaflet (PIL), included with your OFEV® medication pack, or on https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7705.pdf if you live in Great Britain, or on https://www.emcmedicines.com/en-gb/northernireland/medicine?id=1c9c7bb7-cac4-4c5f-a633-a8220c0a16dd&type=pil if you live in Northern Ireland or on https://www.medicines.ie/medicines/ofev-150-mg-soft-capsules-33198/patient-info if you live in the Republic of Ireland.