Things you can do.. or not do... it's up to you...

Body

Start an exercise program with your physicians consent and advice

Take all medication as prescribed, and learn about them to find out when the best times to take them are, and learn about the side effects and ways to avoid and/or manage them.

Have some body measurements taken, including a Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA) test, and plan out a program if needed and/or desired.

Start eating better, and adjust your diet to your needs. Food can be good medicine. By eating the right kind of foods, and avoiding certain ones can even help manage side effects and avoid opportunistic infections like yeast overgrowth. Many consumers find that a low fat, low sugar, and high protein diet works best in conjunction with a good exercise program.

Start taking nutritional supplements with the help of a qualified health professional.

Start a meditation program / exercise routine. This can be as simple as sitting quietly and paying attention to breathing, or more involved such as Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga, etc...

Start a stress reduction program. The key is to reduce stress by enjoying life more. Stress effects the body as well as the mind. This is one of those gray areas.

Get a good massage.

Visit a health spa.

Practice safer sex, and avoid re-infecting your self with HIV and/or other STD's and infections.

Mind

Find a good counselor/therapist to help work out issues that may be bothering your peace of mind.

Take a class or enroll in a curriculum to keep your mind active and alert.

Enjoy stimulating and meaningful conversations with friends

Join a positive support group.

Research and learn all you can about HIV, living healthier and happier.

Start a stress reduction program. The key is to reduce stress by enjoying life more. Stress effects the body as well as the mind. This is one of those gray areas.

Listen to soothing music, guided meditations, and gentle sounds.

Spirit

Find a good clergy person minister/priest/rabbi, shaman or guru to help work out issues that may still be bothering you about your concept of God and/or the Universe, and your connection to it.

Find a place of power where you feel very connected to the Universe (ie. like at a beach, forest, meadow, mountain, etc..)

Read about and research different religions and practices to find one that works for you.

Look for the good in all things and in all people.

Join a spiritual support group.

Practice the golden rule, and become as loving as possible.

Practice random acts of kindness and anonymous acts of service.

Help others to help themselves.

Get involved in working toward equality and justice issues for all persons.

Find your purpose and meaning in life, follow your destiny.

***

The bottom line is that there are lots of things you can do to improve the quality of your life.  We talk about Body, Mind, and Spirit as if they were separate things.  They are not.  They are parts of the whole you, and doing things to benefit one area is going to have ripple effects into other areas.  Like calming the Spirit, is also about soothing the mind and relaxing the body.

Do you have some tips on living well and living long with HIV/AIDS?  Email them to us and specify "tips for the body, mind, and spirit" in the subject line.  See our contact page for email info.

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