The Nourish and Flourish conversation guides promote physical health through nutrition and physical activity while fostering connections to mental well-being. We invite staff, mental health professionals, and facilitators who work in community-based mental health support programs to use the guides to initiate conversations using non-judgmental, trauma-informed messages, and motivational interviewing strategies. Each guide is designed to flow from a discussion about a health topic to goal setting. Individuals ideally set their own goals based on personal needs. The guides offer recommendations. The "How to Use this Guide" page has more detailed information with a brief training video.
Find movement that works best for your body
Being active improves your mood
Embrace being active by setting realistic goals and planning
You can use this Physical Activity goal sheet (pdf) to help guide the discussion.
You may have heard that being active is good for your health, and it’s true! Being active helps improve your mood and prevent and manage chronic diseases. The key is finding movement you enjoy and setting realistic goals. Movement may be challenging during the winter months. Think about movements you can do year-round or simple changes you can make to increase physical activity.
What is your favorite way to move your body?
What are some ways you get more movement into your day?
What new activity are you considering trying, and when do you plan to start?
Think about things you like to do to move your body during the day. What are those things?
Improve health by being more active - start slow, any movement counts
Plan movement into your day to be more physically active
Find a buddy to support you in your movement (2- or 4-legged)
I will walk for 10 minutes today.
Today I will walk around the neighborhood for 10 minutes at 2 p.m.
On a scale of 1-10 how confident are you that you can meet your plan?
“One, I do love my cat…when I do go for walks, I end up bringing her and her stroller. We sometimes will walk to the gas station right by my house, it's about a mile away, and then walk back."
Your best looks different every day.
Remember to honor your body and mind.