Looking After Your Wellbeing
Living with HIV comes with its challenges, but there are many ways to take care of your wellbeing and build resilience.
Staying Connected
Keeping in touch with others is important. Reach out to friends, family, or support networks like Chiva when you need help. Our Freedom to Be (F2B) support camp is also a great way to meet others living with HIV, stay in touch with those you’ve met and support each other.
Managing News Intake
While staying informed is good, too much news can feel overwhelming. Try setting limits on how often you check the news to help protect your mental wellbeing.
Managing Social Media Use
Social media can be a great way to stay connected, but too much time online, especially on content that makes you feel anxious or insecure, can impact your mental health. Try setting time limits, unfollowing accounts that don’t make you feel good, and taking breaks when needed. Focus on engaging with content that uplifts and inspires you.
Exercising
Physical activity naturally boosts your mood. Even a short walk or gentle movement can make a difference. Exercising with friends or family can also help keep you motivated. Our fantastic Chiva F2B camp yoga teacher recorded some short yoga and relaxation sessions that can easily be done at home.
Prioritising Sleep
Good sleep supports both physical and mental health. Try to stick to a regular sleep routine to help maintain your energy levels.
Eating Well
A balanced diet helps you feel your best. While treats are okay, eating a variety of nutritious foods ensures your body gets the vitamins and minerals it needs. Check out these delicious recipes from, The Food Chain charity.
Doing Things You Enjoy
Make time for activities that bring you joy, whether that’s music, gaming, reading, baking, or creative hobbies such as painting. Relaxation techniques, games, and breathing exercises can also help manage stress. Find more ideas in our Wellbeing Toolkit.
Making a Self-Soothing Box
This can be a great way to manage your feelings. Collect things that help you feel grounded and relaxed, such as positive affirmations, fidget spinners, photographs, comforting scents, or mementos with good memories. These boxes can be really helpful if you’re feeling panicked, anxious, or low. Learn how to create a self-soothe box here.
What helps one day may not work another. While these strategies can support your wellbeing, be kind to yourself and don’t worry if you can’t always stick to a routine.
For more support, check out Chiva’s activities and connect with our community. You’re not alone.
Whilst Chiva can help support you to thrive with HIV, there are other organisations who offer different services or can provide support around specific issues.
Dealing with bereavement
Everyone processes grief differently. If someone close to you has died recently, or died a while ago but it’s still troubling you, you may want to talk to someone about what you’re going through. You won’t need to tell them about the HIV in your life if you don’t want to.
Find local support through the Childhood Bereavement Network.
Cruse Bereavement also provide free support services across the country. Call 0808 808 1677 to find your nearest support branch.
Young carers
If you’re 18 or under and help look after a relative who has a disability, illness, mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem, you can get support from young carers’ organisations. They arrange events and social activities, and you don’t have to share information about the illness of the person you’re caring for.
Find your local young carers service here or get online support through Carers Trust.
Mental health
One in five young people suffer from mental health problems in a given year. If you’re struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. And there are organisations out there who can help.
- Call 08001111 or visit Childline to get support. It’s a free and confidential service where anyone under 19 can talk through what may be on their mind.
- Kooth is a free online community where young people can find peer support and counselling. Sign up for free.
- Papyrus works to prevent suicide among young people. Text 07860039967 for support.
LGBTIQ+ information and support
Find support and information on LGBTIQ+ issues from The Proud Trust, an online hub for LGBTIQ+ youth.
Other HIV support
There are many other organisations which support families and young people living with HIV. Please see the list below to find out more.
4M Mentor Mothers Network – Nationwide
Acet Ireland – Ireland
Blue Sky Trust – North East & Cumbria
Body and Soul – Nationwide
Brigstowe Project – Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (18+)
George House Trust – Manchester
Leeds Skyline – Leeds
Positively UK – National
Positive East – East London
Positive Help – The Lothians, Scotland
Sahir House – Liverpool City Region
The Sussex Beacon – Sussex
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) – Nationwide
Waverley Care – Scotland
