Having just gotten over a nasty bug, and with flu season upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to post on 5 of the most important things to do while we’re sick to help our bodies fight disease.
Our bodies are our temples. What good is it to accomplish our goals if we don’t have the health to enjoy it?
Human bodies are amazing things. Just sitting here trying to fathom the internal war that goes on between our immune system and the bacteria and viruses that invade us on a daily basis makes me dizzy.
Often times when we get sick we try to push through it – which certainly has its place and time (if absolutely called for) – but sometimes they body forcefully reminds the mind that it can only be pushed so far.
Having a few days to recuperate myself, I thought my first post back should be 5 of the most important things we should be doing while we are sick – from the common cold to severe influenza – are you doing all you can to assist your body in its mission to bring you back to optimum health (just saw Transformers 2, forgive the special ops talk)?
1. Drink, drink and drink some more
Our bodies are 70% water. Studies recommend drinking enough to turn your urine clear – that’s how you know you’re hydrated. A well hydrated body helps to maintain body temperature and makes sure the kidney and liver are operating at their best. More importantly, it assists in ridding the body of toxins and wastes that need to get flushed out while combating an illness.
2. Rest when your body needs it
Sometimes the only thing we can do to truly get over a lingering cold or illness is to simply give your body rest. It wasn’t until I shut my body down and slept a good two days (on and off) that I was able to start feeling better. Sleep promotes regeneration. Many of your bodily functions move at a much slower rate (metabolism and energy burns at a minimum) allowing for maximum internal recuperation and reparation.
3. Keep your body warm
Nothing worse than cold chills and hot flashes, but the best advice is to keep the body adequately warm. While the cold air conditioner might feel great, the body recovers best at a comfortably warm temperature. Cold temperatures can actually compromise the immune system.
4. Eat the right foods/get your vitamin C
Incorporate these two together because many healthy foods have healthy doses of vitamin C. Some recommend vitamin C supplements to assist the immune system as much as possible. Think of fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain. By all means avoid alcohol and sugar, as these only serve to weaken the immune system.
5. Incorporate the mind
If studies have shown that positive thinking and the visualization of ‘destroying’ cancer cells in the body literally assist in helping people recover from the disease – why would we not use this against the common cold? Skeptic? Read about Sue Northey, who recovered from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – here’s what she had to say about visualization:
“The relaxation techniques proved successful. I enjoyed the calmest, most normal day I’ve had since diagnosis. I’ve come to believe that relaxation, meditation, visualization, escape . . . whatever you want to call it . . . works and has the capability to cure.”
She goes on to explain in her story how she visualized the cancer as a black mass in the center of her chest – and she would imagine swallowing a ball of sunshine, that bounced off the cancer chipping away at it until it would cease to exist. The mind-body connection is stronger than many of us realize – if it works for such a severe disease – positive, healthy thoughts about our recovery surely will speed our revitalization.
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