Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health issue characterized by disturbances in thoughts or behavior, loss of emotional responsiveness, and extreme apathy. Patients usually opt for psychotherapies and psychiatric medicines to stabilize the condition, but lifestyle changes help manage this progressive disease and control the symptoms to a great extent. Here’s a list of a few lifestyle changes to manage schizophrenia effectively:

• An improved diet : Wholesome foods like legumes, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, seafood, and lean cuts of meat provide nutrients that are highly beneficial for the proper functioning of the brain. They are loaded with zinc, folate, magnesium, and various essential fatty acids. Similarly, berries, dark chocolates, and certain herbs have polyphenols that play an important role in the brain’s functioning.
• Regular exercise : The long list of lifestyle changes to manage schizophrenia also includes regular exercise. Physical activities like jogging, swimming, or playing any other sport are highly recommended for schizophrenia patients because they can improve one’s mental and physical health. Also, activities that involve social interactions and exposure to nature can help patients keep their minds engaged in something positive. 
• No smoking and drinking : Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption can improve mood and reduce the signs of constant anxiety. That said, patients may experience withdrawal symptoms initially, but the brain will adapt to the change eventually, and they can enjoy better health in the long run.
• A healthy weight : Among the various lifestyle changes to manage schizophrenia, this one is absolutely necessary. Many antipsychotic medicines slow down the metabolic rate and lead to weight gain, which can put one at risk of obesity and other complications. So, one should adopt a few dietary changes to maintain a healthy weight. Schizophrenia patients can do this by increasing their intake of low-fat and high-protein foods.
• Quality sleep : Schizophrenia patients often deal with troubled sleep, which aggravates the symptoms. To stabilize their sleep patterns, one can try hitting the bed at the same time every night and maintain a calm, cool environment in the bedroom to induce sleep. Also, it is best to avoid caffeine-based drinks in the late evenings. Instead, one can opt for a glass of hot milk or green tea.
• Connecting with nature : Another lifestyle change to manage schizophrenia is to connect with nature. Research states that adequate exposure to sunshine improves mood by increasing serotonin levels. It also boosts vitamin D levels in the body, which also impacts mental health.

One can make these lifestyle changes to manage schizophrenia symptoms and prevent the mental disorder from advancing. That said, they are not substitutes for medicines.