The information here does not replace discussions with your doctor or healthcare professional team. For more information, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional team.
LIFESTYLE
Be good to yourself!
Leading a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone, but when we experience any illness it becomes more important than ever – and mental illness is no exception. A healthy lifestyle is about taking care of your mind and body so you can live life to the full. It’s about things like keeping stress down, getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising and having fun. So be good to yourself and reap the rewards!
Look after your body
Getting regular exercise is of course good for your health, but did you know it’s also good for your brain? Scientists have proved that exercise really does lift your mood and can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression. It’s also a great excuse for a fun catch up with friends and family. So plan some regular exercise into your day, and you may be surprised what a difference it makes to how you feel.
If you need some help with motivation, ask a friend or family member to help you out, it’s a great way to catch up and good fun too.
Cheap and fun ideas for exercise
- A game of cricket or frisbee with friends at the beach
- Take the dog for a run
- Cycle to the shops
- Play football or tennis in the park
- Checkout the local skating ramp
For more exercise ideas and support have a look at the Push Play website.
Making the decision to quit
If you’re a smoker, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health. For support ask your doctor or nurse, or check-out these websites.
Eating well
Looking after your body also involves eating well. Our bodies (and our brains) work best when we eat a healthy, balanced diet so we get all the nutrients we need. That means including plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and avoiding too much sugar, salt and fat. Cutting down on sugary drinks and take-away foods is a great first step. Shopping at your local market or farmers market is a good way to find fresh local fruit and veg, and is often less expensive than the supermarket.
It's all about your health
Heart Foundation
Health Education Resources
Look after your brain
Brains need some TLC as well.
One of the best things you can do for your brain is to avoid street drugs and too much alcohol. Drugs and alcohol can make symptoms of psychosis worse. They may make medication less effective, making it harder to get well. If you need help to stop using drugs or alcohol talk to your doctor or nurse. There are lots of on-line resources too; you might find some of the links below helpful.
Drugs & Alcohol
Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Education
New Zealand Society on Alcohol and Drug Dependence
Addiction Treatment & Recovery
ADANZ
Avoiding and learning to manage stress can also be helpful. When we’re stressed we can be more vulnerable to psychosis, and in some circumstances stressful events or circumstances can even contribute to bringing on another episode of psychosis.
If you’ve been through psychosis before then your brain has already had a hard time. So give your brain a break; try and avoid stressful situations if you can, and if you can’t, try to take time out to relax and unwind. Find ways that work for you to make stress more manageable.
