Healthy Living

As a person living with HIV, proper nutrition is important in taking care of yourself. Try these diet tips:

• Eat a variety of foods from each food group each day
• It's important to try to keep your energy levels up. Talk to your doctor about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Eat the same amount of food at each meal
• Water is essential to the body and an important part of health. Most doctors recommend 8 glasses of water per day
• Talk to your doctor about whether you should take a multivitamin each day. This may help supplement your daily vitamins and minerals

Yoga can help you develop a strong connection between your mind and body. This set of spiritual practices focuses on exercise poses, breathing, and meditation. Together, these techniques help build physical strength and stamina while creating a still, restful mind.

There are many different styles of yoga practiced around the world. The most popular type of yoga practiced in the U.S. is Hatha yoga, which focuses on postures and breathing.

There are also different levels of yoga. Beginner classes can introduce you to the basic postures, movements, and breathing. Once you feel more comfortable, you can advance to more challenging yoga routines. Most AIDS Service Organizations (ASOs) can help you find a good yoga class in your area. Sometimes, these classes are free to people with HIV.

Some tips to help relax and help manage stress:

Regular exercise may play an important role in your health. Exercise may include resistance training (like lifting weights or Pilates) or aerobic exercises (like walking or jogging).

Remember, your exercise program should be made just for you, and based on your health. It is important to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program.

If you're not a physically active person, it can be difficult to stick with an exercise routine. Try these tips to help keep it up:

• Put exercise "appointments" on your calendar
• Choose something you like to do
• Exercise with a friend
• Plan social activities that involve exercise
• Choose activities that match your abilities