Reprinted from the Nourishing and Moving Our Bodies issue of Visions Journal, 2023, 19 (1), p. 44
Promoting Positive Body Image: A Resource for Educators
jessieslegacy.com/promoting-positive-body-image-a-resource-for-educators
Resources and recommendations for educators and school staff from Jessie’s Legacy Eating Disorders and Prevention and Vancouver Coastal Health. This resource offers information about building positive body image and a positive relationship with food as a well as quality teaching tools.
Accessible recreation in BC
- Recreation and Leisure directory from BC Disability: An extensive list of organizations or resources that help people with disabilities participate in sports, stay active, and participate in their community, such as adaptive programs and inclusive gyms or facilities. BC Disability also has a directory of funding opportunities to cover some recreation costs. Visit bcdisability.com/recreation.
- Recreation Resources in BC from ConnecTra: A directory of resources in BC including adaptive sports, outdoor recreation and camping, and inclusive gyms or training facilities. Visit connectra.org/accessible-recreation-resources-in-bc.
- Accessible hiking: AllTrails allows users to filter for wheelchair-accessible hikes. Find a list of BC recommendations at alltrails.com/canada/british-columbia/ada. possAbilities also has a list of accessible hikes at posabilities.ca/14-accessible-hikes-in-bc.
Exercise and Depression Toolkit
Exercise is a stand-alone treatment for mild to moderate depression and a treatment component for moderate to severe depression. The Exercise and Depression Toolkit from the Population Physical Activity Lab at UBC is a tool to help health care providers work collaboratively with people who want to increase their physical activity to manage depression.
Eating Well
keltymentalhealth.ca/eating-well
Guides for parents and caregivers of young people with a mental illness from Kelty Mental Health. Find tips for reducing conflict or stress at meal time, building healthy relationships with food, and developing healthy body image.
Resources from HealthLinkBC
Talk with a dietician or exercise professional and find resources in your community. Call 8-1-1 and state which service you want to access. Translators are available in over 100 languages.
- Dietitian Services: Ask a registered dietician questions about food or nutrition. You can also email a dietician at healthlinkbc.ca/health-services/healthlink-bc-811-services/dietitian-services. Available Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM.
- Physical activity services: Ask a qualified exercise professional questions about getting started, overcoming barriers, building a healthy lifestyle, and finding fitness programs or health professionals in your area. You can also email an exercise professional at healthlinkbc.ca/health-services/healthlink-bc-811-services/physical-activity-services. Available Monday – Friday, 9AM – 5PM.
Mental Health and Physical Activity Toolkit Guide 2: The relationship between physical activity and mental health
mind.org.uk/media/7594/mind-mental-and-physical-activity-toolkit-guide-2.pdf
This guide from the UK-based Mind outlines important mental health benefits of physical activity and strategies to navigate challenges of mental illnesses or treatments, such as what to do when physical activity brings up anxiety or panic attacks. Mind also offers tips for building healthy relationships with activities and signs of over-exercising, including guidance for coaches and fitness professionals.
