Well-rounded wellness tips
Balanced diet
A balanced diet supports general health. It’s especially important following any type of injury. Eating a variety of foods from all groups will contribute to the success of your bowel program. Your doctor may prescribe a special diet to regulate your bowel movements because of your injury. Please stay the plan given to you by your doctor.
Physical fitness
Every adult should do 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity every day. Follow the exercise program prescribed by your doctor and therapy team. Programs vary from simple range of motion exercises to aerobics classes, depending on your injury and general physical condition.
Stress reduction
Stress can be positive or negative. An example of good stress may be the way you feel when you are very happy about going on vacation next week. An example of bad stress may be the way you feel about having surgery next week. It can cause you to behave in ways you would not normally act, such as overeating, not exercising, drinking alcohol, or having a bad temper. High levels of stress can make illnesses worse or affect how you think and react to things. Learning how to positively deal with stress will improve your overall quality of life.
Ways to manage stress include:
- Exercise as directed by your doctor or rehabilitation team.
- Get enough sleep each day.
- Incorporate relaxation exercises into your day.
- Meditate and engage in visualization and imagery exercises.
- Talk to friends and family.
- Laugh a lot.