TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF - ADVICE FOR THE PERSON WITH HIV/AIDS

TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF - ADVICE FOR THE PERSON WITH HIV/AIDS

Nutrition education has a place alongside other advice and support directed at promoting well-being and positive living. General recommendations for taking care of yourself are given below.

• The body needs extra rest. Try to sleep for eight hours every night. Rest whenever you are tired.
• Try not to worry too much. Stress can harm the immune system. Relax more. Relax with people you love, your family, your children and your friends. Do things you enjoy, e.g. listen to music or read a newspaper or a book.
• Be kind to yourself. Try to keep a positive attitude. Feeling good is part of being healthy.
• Take light exercise. Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy.
• Find support and get good advice. Ask for advice from health workers. Many medical problems can be treated.
• Ask for help and accept help when it is offered.
• Stop smoking. It damages the lungs and many other parts of the body and makes it easier for infections to attack your body.
• Alcohol is harmful to the body, especially the liver. It increases vulnerability to infection and destroys vitamins in the body; under the influence of alcohol you may forget to practise safe sex.
• Avoid unnecessary medicines. They often have unwanted side-effects and can interfere with food and nutrition. If you do take medicines, read the instructions carefully.