THE BASICS
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We think your health and overall wellness is very important! Medication isn't the only tool available to keep your body and mind healthy during your recovery. On this page we will give you tips on other resources that can help keep yourself both physically and mentally healthy, such as by eating right, staying in shape, and maintaining overall wellness. |
OUR PERSONAL STORIES
JEN'S STORY
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From past experience I know that when I was put on medication at 12 years old, it made me gain 60 pounds in a summer. So all through middle school and high school I had to deal with my weight. I tried a lot of stuff even including drinking lots of water, trying to keep active, eating fruits and vegetables. My weight just kept on fluctuating so I tried some of these things that we are going to discuss on this page.
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JAY'S STORY
Ever since I entered high school, I faced anxiety disorder. This disorder not only made me lose control over how I react, but also shattered my self confidence. In order to help ease the stress and trouble I was going through, I started doing Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is a type of martial arts that enhances both your physical and mental well-being. By practicing Tae Kwon Do, my mind and body was able to become much healthier and happier. To learn more about Tae Kwon Do, go to the WorldTaeKwonDo website.
EATING HEALTHY
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It is always good to keep track of your calories either by writing it down in a journal or just going through a calorie guide. There are many websites where you can count your calories. Here is a couple below that could be most helpful to you.
Another way to keep track of your food choices is going by a food pyramid. This could be helpful because you can see visually what you should be consuming on a daily basis.
Click above for more information!
EATING HEALTHY ON A BUDGET
The economy is currently in bad shape and eating healthy can be expensive. Here are some websites that offer tips on how to still eat healthy while maintaining a budget: 20 Simple Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget and Eating Healthy on a Budget.
HEALTHY SHOPPING
When going into a grocery store the first thing people do is go to the unhealthy food section or they are either lost on where to begin first. This guide can help out a lot by showing you how to stay at the outer part of the food store and to make those healthy decisions that will help benefit you. Healthy Shopping/Healthy Eating
EATING HEALTHY AT COLLEGE
At college, it can be especially hard to eat healthy, when there are so many unhealthy options all over campus, especially in the dining halls. This website gives you tips to help you navigate college dining halls and make the healthiest choices. Healthy Dining Hall Eating.
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A HEALTHY YOU!
Lilly For Better Health is a site where you can find tips on how to keep healthy and happy! They have recently come out with a handbook "A Healthy You: America's Guide to Healthy Living, which is super helpful and small enough to fit in your pocket! Be Smart Be Well provides you with first-hand accounts on staying healthy, as well as research and facts to keep you informed about making healthy choices.
EXERCISING
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Exercise is essential to your health and wellness. But you do not have to work out hard to get benefit. The key is to do moderate exercise on a regular basis. |
MODERATE EXERCISE
Do at least:
30 minutes of moderate activity for five days a week or 25 minutes of vigorous activity for three days a week and 8-10 muscle training exercises for 2-3 days per week. Moderate Exercises:
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VIGOROUS EXERCISE
Vigorous Exercises:
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OTHER WAYS
Some of you may find exercise to be a bore. Here are several ways that can help you exercise and have fun at the same time!
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MEDITATION
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How is sitting down and putting your hands together like Buddha supposed to be healthy? Well, meditating can eliminate stress and can give you a sense of calm. People who have a Serious Mental Health Condition often face a ton of emotional conflict that can be unhealthy to your well-being if prolonged. So meditate! It will help replace that stress with peace. |
TIPS ON HOW TO MEDITATE
- Have good posture – make sure your spine is upright as much as possible
- Relax your muscles
- Pay attention to your breathing – helps prevent your thoughts from straying
- Counting your breathing can also help you focus
- Don’t try forcefully blocking/stopping thoughts it’ll make you more agitated
- Be in a place with minimal distractions
MORE INFORMATION
Meditation/Health explains the benefits and types of meditations.
HowMeditationMayChangetheBrain: This article from the New York Times talks about someone’s experience with meditation.
HowMeditationMayChangetheBrain: This article from the New York Times talks about someone’s experience with meditation.
SLEEPING
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Sleep is vital to your well-being. Having an adequate amount of sleep can lead to many benefits, such as reduction in stress, increased mental alertness, healthier heart, etc. Often, people with SMHC have difficulty falling asleep and tend to take medication in order to help solve the problem. However, simple changes to your daily lifestyle can be much more beneficial and healthier than pills. Here are some tips to having a better night’s sleep: |
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TIPS
- Exercise regularly but try not to exercise at least two hours before you sleep
- Avoid alcohol and stimulants (i.e. caffeine)
- Avoid eating a rich meal right before you sleep
- Drink milk or tea before you sleep
- Sleep on a regular schedule
- Make sure room is dark and cool
- Hide the clock face so you’re not tempted to keep checking the time
MAINTAINING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Mindfulness and Wellness: Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to, and seeing clearly whatever is happening in our lives. It will not eliminate life's pressures, but it can help us respond to them in a calmer manner that benefits our heart, head, and body. It helps us recognize and step away from habitual, often unconscious, emotional, and physiological reactions to everyday events.
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Facing Us Clubhouse: If you live with depression or bipolar disorder—or are simply seeking inspiration and support for living a full, healthy and happy life—the Facing Us Clubhouse is your online home for wellness Here is the UMASS Medical School Center for Mindfulness, the pioneers of MBSR: The Centre for Mindfulness Stress Reduction. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn founded The Stress Reduction Program in 1979. His work and research has bought Mindfulness into mainstream medicine. UMASS Medical School Center for Mindfulness Coping Skills: A coping skill is a behavioral tool which may be used by individuals to offset or overcome adversity, disadvantage, or disability without correcting or eliminating the underlying condition. Below are websites with examples of the many different types of coping skills people can use to help keep themselves mentally healthy. http://www.pendulum.org/bpcoping.htm: If you have Bipolar disorder, Mood Swing is a site that provides you simple step by step coping methods. PTSD Support Services: If you are suffering from PTSD, this site that offers coping strategies and ways to regain control of your life. Anxiety BC is a useful site for those who have anxiety disorder. You can learn more about anxiety disorder and how to manage it through this site. Addictions and recovery provides coping methods in order to achieve a successful recovery from Addiction disorder. |
