​Looking after your general health can help you live well despite your ongoing pain. Being as strong and fit as you can mean you are more likely to be able to do the things that are important to you. This can help you feel more confident about your body and abilities.

Eating a healthy diet and balancing rest and relaxation with gentle movement or exercise can help. For some people stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight or cutting  back on how much alcohol they drink can be useful.

Sometimes advice about healthy lifestyles can feel overwhelming, especially if you have a long term condition to deal with. If you feel this way, deciding on one area to focus on and setting a realistic goal is a good first step.

Health improvement services in your local area can often help you with this. Here are local services which run in the areas we cover: