Keeping yourself healthy
Keeping healthy should be a life-long goal. Being fit and healthy can improve the way you look and feel. There are many things you can do to keep healthy.
Eating well
You should try to eat lots of:
- Fruit and vegetables
- Fish and meat
- Foods containing fibre
- And not eat too many sweets, crisps and junk food. Try to drink milk or water instead of fizzy drinks.
Eating disorders
Many young people have problems with eating food at some time in their lives. The most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia.
Anorexia nervosa is when people avoid eating and lose a lot of weight. They often feel or think they look fat even when they are very thin.
Bulimia is when someone binges (eats lots of food at once) and then makes himself or herself sick to get rid of it. Some people with bulimia also use laxatives, which can cause diarrhoea.
Compulsive eating is when someone eats much more than their body needs without being able to stop when they are full. Compulsive eating is often a comfort and distraction from upsetting thoughts or feelings that are difficult to cope with.
Eating problems often hide other problems. Any number of things can trigger an eating problem. It may come from:
- Pressure to be thin
- Bullying
- Being abused
- The death of someone close to you.
If you are worried about something, you can talk to your social worker or carer about it.
You can also phone the LAC nurses on 020 7059 6578 or 020 7059 6578.
Find out more about eating disorders and how to get help, on the B-eat website.
Exercise is good for your mental and physical health
Keeping active helps to improve your mood and keep a healthy body. You can take part in school exercise classes and join clubs for football, swimming, athletics, dancing or any other exercise that you enjoy.
You have a right to a free leisure pass to all Newham Leisure Centres. Ask your social worker, key worker or your carer about getting your free pass.
Relaxing and sleeping
It’s really important for you to get enough sleep so your body can grow and refresh itself. Relaxing gives your body time to get rid of tension and stress. It can help you keep a healthy mind.