An Easy Read guide to Self Care - easyhealth.org.uk

1 Adapted from self Care - some helpful thoughts byDr Stephen TompkinsSelf CareAn easy read guide toSome good ideas to helpyou stay healthyEasy ReadSelfcare is about doing small everydaythings for yourself to keep yourselfhealthy and happy so that you can havea good life!There are lots of things we can do forourselves to stay we may need to ask for helpfrom nurses and is self Care?Page your your family and friends to help healthy time to sure you have regular healthchecks with your doctor or can we do?Use medicines properly, making sure youtake them at the right some exercise you like and plan todo it as part of your circle of good lifeEat wellEnjoy doingexerciseFeel goodEnjoy lifeThis is the circle of having a good life. If you eat well andexercise you will feel to make changesStep one example could be: If you are unhappy andwant to make new will find out aboutlocal clubs andsupport groupsI will go to agroup and meetnew peopleI will feel happieras I havenew friendsPage will help ?

2 Make a plan about what you want goals that you can do, don t makethem too don t worry if things don t work the1st time- have another go!Your planYour plan should be SMART! This meansit should be:Specific- say exactly what you want to changePage how you will check it has changedAppropriate- say how the change will be good for youRealistic-make goals that you know you can doTimed- set yourself a time that you will stick toSpecific-I want to lose 1 stoneMeasurable-I will weigh myself at the local chemistAppropriate-Being overweight is not helping me tostay healthyRealistic-I know I can do thisTimed-I willlose the weight by the Christmasparty in 8 weeks example, if you want to lose weight thenyour plan could be:RememberTake small steps to reach your goal andenjoy the journey!Page circle of supportIt will help you if you have peoplewhocan help support you to make changesand reach your peoplewho help you are called yourcircle of your circle of support you might want;Family,Friends,Health staffand your social workerPage is exercise goodfor you?

3 Exercise is really good for us!Just some of the ways it will help you are:Feel fitter Feel strongerKeep weightdownSleep betterYou ll havemore energyYou ll feel morerelaxedYou ll feel happierPage ContactsThe NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service(PALS)The Customer Care Team can help you withany questions or worries you canalso help you get information or give 361 Expert Patient Programme (EPP)This is a course for people with conditions, whowould like to know more about self 368 give free health advice in Dorset, 675 People NowA website about a plan made by theGovernment to make things better for peoplewith HealthEasy Health is a website with lots of easyinformation and videos People FirstA speaking up group run for and by peoplewith learning disabilities. They also run afriendship 257 Support Team01202 guide was made by NHS DorsetAnd made easy read byBournemouth People First using PhotosymbolsNHS DorsetHillfort HousePoundbury RoadDorchesterDorsetDT1 more copies of this booklet ask at your Doctors Surgery oryou can call:Dorset People First on: 01305 257 600