Feeling Sick? 5 Ways to Feel Better NOW

Feeling Sick? 5 Ways to Feel Better Now

Chris Bossert on Health & Wellness

 

 

 It's nearly impossible to have a kick-ass day when we're feeling sick.One of my clients brought up a great point the other day. She said, "Chris, have you ever notice how some people are sick all the time and others hardly ever get sick?" This got me thinking and I did a little research to back her analysis. What I found is good news...great news actually. Many of the causes of ill health are subject to OUR own mastery and control. This means that our subconscious (those thought deeeeep inside our brain) can make us health or sick. We decide whether or not we want to be sick. Now that's pretty sick (good play on words right?).

 

 

1. Eat Healthy Foods 

This is an area many of us are familiar with. If you eat bad food you feel bad. Common sense right? So why do we do it? When struggling with stress we are prone to emotional decisions which can lead to poor dietary selections. Next time you're feeling the blues do something you enjoy. Call a trusted friend or family member. Go for walk or a run. Remind yourself that everything is okay and you have been through challenging times before. Taking such actions will make you feel good about yourself. When you feel good you make good decisions. This will translate into eating healthy delicious foods (such as leafy green vegetables and legumes). 

  

2. Focus on the Positives

Negative thoughts surround us. In a society that force-feeds us cynical headlines, how can we capture the positive energy. A great place to start is by thinking of five things your thankful for. Think about what some of the funniest moments you've experienced in life. Check out a funny YouTube video (one of my personal favorite mood boosters below...gotta love Kramer). Researchers from Tilburg University found that humor improves immune cell function, helps you ward off illness and decreases your chances of cancer. 

 

3) Quality Sleep

One of the most important parts of our health is sleep. If we lose sleep our immune system starts to break down, we are irritable, and we become susceptible to overeating.  Here are some tips to help you get more zzzzzs: 

• Cut back on caffeine during the day, especially at night.
• Wake up at about the same time.
• Don’t work on your computer or study in your bed.
• Use earplugs and a sleep mask to block out light or noise.
• Meditate for 5 minutes before bed. 
• Exercise earlier in the day, not right before bed.

 

4) Get More Physical Exercise

Physical activity improves mood, so if working out makes you feel better, that’s great. The other side of this two-headed coin is that feeling happier and more optimistic helps motivate you to engage in healthful habits.That might mean a hike in the woods, hopping on a treadmill, eating more vegetables or all of the above. It’s a win-win. 

 

5) Get Outside 

All this indoor living isn't doing much for our health. People who get more "vitamin G"--what experts call time spent in green spaces--have lower stress levels, more success in school, relationships, or in their career, and fewer ADHD symptoms. And simply being in sunlight triggers skin to make vitamin D, which is shaping up to be a potent cancer fighter. So get out!