The following article was kindly written and contributed by Lewis Robinson.
There are many factors that go into maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Having a physical disability can present an additional challenge when it comes to your overall wellbeing.
Read on to learn some ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a physical disability.
Keep a Healthy Diet
A healthy diet is essential to a robust lifestyle. It is especially important if you have a physical handicap as your disability may limit the amount of exercise you can perform. Therefore, you need to pay extra close attention to your nutrient intake. Your diet should consist primarily of vegetables, fruits and proteins, though cookies and cakes still have their place! Ultimately it is about balance. Do your best to track your intake and any workouts each day. That way, you will know how much you are able to splurge when it comes to indulgent foods.
Again, your focus should not be on completely cutting out any food groups but ensuring your intake and outtake are in balance. You might have to be a bit more meticulous if you can not work out, or if your sessions are limited, but by no means does that mean you cannot enjoy the sweeter things in life.
While a well-balanced food intake will provide nutrients, there is likely still room for improvement. Extra nutrients might even be more essential depending on your disability, as some limitations require extra minerals and vitamins. Consider investing in a line of supplements, such as those by Activated You.
Socialise and Find Support
Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, having a social life is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. There are numerous health benefits to having a close group of friends you can spend time with and confide in. If you have a physical disability, it can also be beneficial to have a friend or friends that you can relate to regarding your disability, others who have the same handicap or a loved one with it. They can provide an additional layer of support as they can connect to your experiences, both good and bad, and provide advice for questions you have.
If you do struggle to find friends you can socialise with and trust for feedback, try to get connected with a local group, such as an activity group, singles group or support group.
Get Creative With Your Exercise Routine
As previously mentioned, depending on your handicap, physical exercise might present a challenge. Do not let that discourage you! Movement is important to your cardiovascular health and physical well-being. Simply do what your body allows. If you are limited to a wheelchair, explore weight training or yoga and Pilates poses that focus on upper body strength. If you have back injuries, swimming can be a great option to relieve pressure. Running is a good alternative if you need to focus on your lower body strength. Talk to your physician to learn what options are best suited for you and try a few until you find one you enjoy.
Do Not Smoke
Refraining from smoking is sound advice regardless of your limitations. Smoking increases not only your risk of lung cancer but also the risk to those around you. Additionally, smoking could worsen other physical delicacies you already have. Do not smoke and avoid being around it as much as possible.
While having a physical disability might present more challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, by no means does it make it impossible. It just may take a little more effort. Take time to review and apply the recommendations to help benefit your overall well being.
