SO, YOU’RE SICK…NOW WHAT?

It happens! No matter how well we take care of ourselves, no matter what efforts we make, sometimes we just.get.sick. While it’s good at some point to understand what may have made us vulnerable, the focus right now needs to be on getting better. This is no time for beating yourself up, accusing yourself (or someone else) over what went wrong. 

Remember, we do not live in a sterile world and, believe it or not, our immune systems are better off because of it. As a result of the "dirt", we tend to come out stronger, having built up our tolerance to future assaults. As well, your “bug” could actually be the result of “herxing” - which is the body’s response to eliminating toxins and healing.

Many of the same things we do for prevention, we also do for treatment. For related information, additional tips, and further details, be sure to check out other articles I’ve written.  In the meantime, the below suggestions are a great start to triaging your bug. 

IT STARTS WITH YOUR MINDSET

Don’t panic – I don’t know about you, but at the first sign of any bug my reaction is not one of joy. Admittedly, there have been times when I’ve felt the twinge of panic set in, usually when I have a lot on my plate: “I can’t be sick, I have [fill in the never-ending list of responsibilities here]”.  Instead of trepidation, meet the symptoms with calm assurance and surrender control to Jesus, asking Him to take care of it. 

Avoid dread – I don’t know one person who enjoys being sick. Do you? Instead, I lean toward pangs of dread.  It would be rather odd to be glad we’re sick and a certain amount of dread may be a reasonable reaction. Just be careful - don't to let your dread give way to despair.  True, it is wholly unpleasant to be sick, but most seasonal illnesses will resolve within a few weeks at most and every few days you should be able to notice improvements. So, trade that dread for patience and see it as an opportunity to practice self-care, something that likely fell by the wayside leading up to this bug.

Framing – don’t underestimate the power of thoughts. Shift your mindset to recognize your body, an amazing God made miracle, is doing what it was designed to do - detoxify and heal.  You are actually building up resistance with every bug you successfully fight off. Realizing this can change the entire experience of being ill.  So, Instead of saying “I’m down with something” say “I’m fighting something” or “I’m creating antibodies”.  Focus on where you notice improvements in your condition and celebrate the things you’re doing that feel good. 

Perspective - Recognizing that you are otherwise healthy and will eventually resume normal activities just as you have before is effective for shifting your point of view. In fact, in the functional world, it is actually seen as positive we catch a bug from time to time.  It gives our immune systems a chance to flex its muscles, tests our resilience, causes us to reassess our habits, make improvements, and build antibodies – all of which makes us hardier in the long run.  As well, reminding yourself that this, too, shall pass, will ease pressure, invite peace, and improve your outlook.  

AND CONTINUES WITH YOUR ACTIONS

Disconnect – Once you’ve tackled your mindset, the very first action step you should take is to clear your schedule for the next few days. Call off obligations, postpone commitments, find alternatives for responsibilities, and cancel any plans.  This is not a punishment or an admission of weakness, it’s an act of kindness to yourself, a gift. 

Let’s be honest, there is almost nothing you have to do that can’t wait or be rescheduled.  Ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen if you take a day or two off?  Is forging ahead actually perpetuating the very lifestyle that lowered your resistance?  Is attending that function (prolonging your recovery, and spreading your germs) fair to yourself or others?  How valuable is your health?

If there is one good thing about the entire pandemic exercise, it’s that people understand now more than ever, it’s ok to cancel.  

Step back - It is such a shame that, prior to 2020, it was unheard of to take time to nurture ourselves back to health.  I think we, as a society, have a horrible case of FOMO and it has cost us a lot, including our health. Laying low and giving yourself ample time to address and recover from your symptoms will make you (and everyone else) healthier in the long run.  This doesn’t mean lock yourself in the basement. Total isolation is neither healthy nor practical. Just use common sense when interacting with loved ones and practice thoughtful hygiene. 

Rest - put on your most comfortable pair of pjs or loungewear and, as I’d tell my kids, “Stay in bed, head on pillow!”  The more sleep you can get, the better, but if you just can’t sleep, then rest without stimulation (no t.v., phone, computer, binge watching your favorite show…).  Soothing music is fine, especially a healing frequency such as 432 Hz, but avoid anything stressful, interactive, or loud.  If you do this within the first few hours of the onset of your symptoms and continue for the next 24-48 hours, you are far more likely to bounce back faster and stronger.  Your improved recovery time may pleasantly surprise you!

Heat it up – Take a steamy shower, a hot bath, or indulge in an infrared sauna session.  Adding essential oils to your shower, such as eucalyptus, can help to open up a stuffy nose while a few drops of lavender in a bath might relax you.  

Another way to capitalize on the benefits of heat is to breathe in steam either the old fashioned way with a pot of hot water or using a handy gadget that produces steam.

Regardless of your preference, be sure to remain well hydrated, including electrolytes, as the heat can cause you to perspire. This combined with heavier respiration due to congestion and the loss of fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, or fever can make you vulnerable to dehydration, so drink up as you are able. Two tasty options are potassium broth and the ever valuable adrenal cocktail.

Pro tip: Have a place to sit when you come out of the bath/shower as you might feel a bit drained from the experience if you aren’t feeling up to par.

Home remedies – there are a number of tried and true panaceas that folks swear by, many of which have been passed down from generation to generation. Sadly, because there is no scientific data or pharmaceutical equivalent to validate the recipes, any benefits from them tend to be downplayed by “experts”, with improvements seen only as psychological, almost mythical or coincidental - certainly not real. Say what you will, chicken soup (also known as Polish Penicillin) and broths, hot toddies, an adrenal cocktail, fire cider, poultices for the chest, garlic, honey, homemade cough syrups, rubs, soaks, teas, tinctures, herbs, comfort foods, essential oils, nasal rinses, and formulations such as Excessive Relief - you get the idea - all have both a psychological and a physical impact and no lack of scientific data can convince me otherwise.

Accept help – friends, family, or a co-worker offering to take something off of your plate, such as covering a chore or responsibility? Take them up on it.  Someone offers to make a meal for you? Accept. It takes humility to acknowledge that we need help and to receive it. Yet, it is a gift for both the giver and the receiver.

Remember, it is an opportunity for someone else to do something good when you ask for or receive help, so don’t take that blessing or chance to grow in holiness away from either of you!

Assess – Periodically, take an honest read of where you need to focus additional support for the troops working hard on the immune system battlefield. It also helps to do a quick reflection on previous colds and flus, noting what worked in the past and recognizing that you eventually felt better.  Make the necessary adjustments and check back in after a few hours to tweak your plan as needed.

Know when to call your health care provider – I hope it goes without saying that if you have any concerning or protracted symptoms, you don’t need to play martyr and tough it out.  This isn’t a competition and accepting medical help doesn’t mean you are failing.  From my experience, a mature functional/holistic approach isn’t anti-medicine.  Many of the herbs, supplements, and certain dietary choices we make are akin to or the precursors of prescriptions. So don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.  If you’re not improving or you’ve developed other concerning symptoms, at the very least, get a phone consult from a trusted practitioner to determine if you are in need of further medical intervention. 

Get well soon!
Marie Stumphauzer, FNTP

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