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.
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
Improving physical and mental well-being
Expand allMany 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:
Be honest and open
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.
Choose a way to communicate that is right for you
If you find it difficult to communicate face-to-face, why not try talking on the phone or writing down how you feel?
Pick a suitable time and place
Find somewhere you feel comfortable when discussing difficult topics. Try to find somewhere quiet where you won’t be disturbed.
Try to use examples of how you feel
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?”
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:
Consider activities that aren’t physically demanding, such as playing a board game or watching a film together.
Putting on your favourite songs can help lift your spirits.
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 in nature has been associated with good health and well-being;4,5 take advantage of spending time in nature when you can.
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.
If you want to learn more about how exercise can help you manage your condition, visit the exercise area.
A good diet helps to give you energy and bolster your immune system and, in conjunction with physical activity, helps keep your weight steady.
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
The Asthma + Lung UK website contains further information that may help you.
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
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
Learn techniques to help you manage difficult situations, such as when you are out of breath or feeling down.
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
If you want to track how you’ve been feeling, download this weekly mood tracker
Additional Information
Beyond the Pills: Physical and mental well-being
For more information on how to improve your mental and physical well-being, you can download the ‘Beyond the Pills: Physical and mental well-being’ booklet.
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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: December 2025;
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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: December 2025.
NP-GB-103030 V2 | March 2026