It happens. Whether it is a common cold or a life-changing illness, we, or someone we are close to, will get sick. What helps you bounce back more quickly and weather even the most difficult medical situation is the foundation that you build, both physically and mentally, beforehand. Follow these 5 Tips to build a wellness foundation you can count on, so you can feel healthy, strong, and ready for whatever life brings.
I don’t know about you, but I can definitely indulge in a little “covers over the head”, and “ lie in bed moaning” for a day when I catch a cold or virus. When you experience a big illness, it is more than understandable that you might struggle with thoughts of “Why me?” or “How am I going to get through this?” This is a normal reaction in such a situation. However, getting stuck in this negative space can have a detrimental effect on your recovery.
Studies have shown a strong link between “positivity” and health. It appears to have several underlying mechanisms, but it has been correlated with and shown directly to lower your risk of systemic inflammatory conditions, heart disease, stroke, blood pressure, and many other illnesses. There is also a demonstrated link between being physically fit and both fewer illnesses and faster recovery from illness.
Follow these 5 Tips to Build a Wellness Foundation You Can Count On, so you can establish the footings that will help you weather a health storm.
Take care of your body
Move, nourish, rest, and hydrate your body on a regular basis. The stronger you are physically, the more resources you bank to help you push past even difficult treatments if necessary.
I know someone who frequently says, “so many healthy people get sick, why bother?”. I personally know several people who, if they hadn’t been fit and healthy, would never have survived their serious illness. You take care of your body not only to feel good when you are well, but to stay healthy, and, if needed, recover more quickly when it counts.
If you need some help creating healthy habits that stick, read my blog post 7 Secrets to Success Change.
Turn that frown upside down
- Literally, smile more. Multiple studies have demonstrated that even fake smiling (think holding a pencil in your teeth to mimic smiling) raises the happy chemicals in the brain and can help strengthen your immune system. Smiling more because you are truly happy is a bonus. Do more things you enjoy, allow yourself to laugh, and smile just to make someone else’s day.
- Gratitude is the attitude. Even in difficult times, you can usually find things for which to feel thankful. It may be gratitude for important things like access to good doctors, or for something small like a slice of beautiful blue sky out a window. Feeling grateful forges new neural pathways that help to foster positivity.
- Meditate, journal, or sit and breathe. Take quiet time to focus on yourself and the things you find important. It will help you feel more positive and, like gratitude, will also help to build brain connections that bolster positive feelings.
Connect with others
Nothing affects your health more than being social. It is the single greatest indicator of long life. Even if you have just one or two close friends or family, connecting emotionally with others will help keep you healthy.
Feel all the feels
If you are feeling down, scared, overwhelmed, or anxious, it is important to recognize your feelings, allow yourself to experience them, and understand what they are telling you. Everyone feels these emotions sometimes. If you allow yourself to feel your feelings, with acceptance and curiosity, the feelings will move through you and your positivity will have room to flow.
Think good thoughts
We have all heard the phrases “power of prayer”, “hope, and “healing vibes”. We are vibrational beings made of pulsating atoms. Our thoughts too carry a vibration. Positive energy affects us internally and can affect the world around us.
Believe in your health and happiness. Visualize yourself well and strong. If you do get sick, invite everyone you know to offer good thoughts to your cause. Even if you don’t quite believe in the up-leveling of vibrational energy, you have the choice to meet your health challenges with positivity and hope or negativity and doubt. Why not try to take the ride with as much love and hope in your heart as you can muster? It can only make the experience better for you and for those you care about.
Use these 5 Tips to build a wellness foundation you can count on, so you can be healthy and happy. If you should get knocked down, hopefully for only minor health issues, you will have the resilience you need to bounce back to your usual self.
Lauren Yellin Weinberg, MS, NBC-HWC
As The Becoming Coach, Lauren empowers her clients to become more confident, calm, and connected and to architect the wildly wonderful life they have always imagined. A National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and a Certified Happiness Coach, with a background as a psychologist and family therapist, she is committed to a whole-person, empirically-based process that creates lasting mindset and wellbeing changes. Her transformational coaching is designed to accelerate and support personal and professional success while inspiring her clients to fall in love with who they are becoming.
Lauren is also a thought partner for solopreneurs and she is an expert for Living Healthy List.
Find out more at lastingchangewellness.com or email directly at lastingchangecoach@gmail.com Follow on FB @lastingchangewellness; on IG @lastingchangecoach and on LinkedIn @LaurenYellinWeinberg