If you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s essential you have an action plan for flare-ups.  According to COPD.net, actions plans serve three purposes: to help prevent flare-ups, to realize when you’re having a flare-up, and what to do when you’re experiencing a flare-up.

MORE: Six ways to help you take care of your lungs

Prevention
The best course of action is to try and prevent flare-ups from occurring in the first place. While you won’t always be successful, putting into practice good health habits will help.

Here are a few ways you can help prevent flare-ups:

• Quitting smoking
• Taking medication as directed
• Eating healthily
• Drinking plenty of water
• Resting well
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding people who are ill
• Washing your hands regularly
• Avoiding lung irritants like pollution, dust, pet dander, secondhand smoke
• Getting yearly flu and pneumonia vaccinations

MORE: Five steps to a COPD-friendly diet.