Definition of Sick: Suffering from or affected with a physical illness
Definition of Wellness: the state of being in good physical and mental health
A big problem that many people face today is that they are in the grey area between being sick and being truly well. If you ask them, how they are, they will usually say something like ‘I’m fine, just a bit tired’
This ‘tired all the time’ is a common complaint its causes can be diverse.
· Poor diet – lacking the nutrients needed to sustain energy throughout the day
· Blood sugar imbalances – sugar highs and afternoon slumps
· Cortisol dysregulation due to stress – sleepy in the morning but unable to sleep at night
· Food intolerances & allergies – rashes, skin problems, runny nose, constant mucus
· Digestive disturbances – if your digestion is under par than it needs more energy to work and also gets fewer nutrients because it isn’t working well!
· Lack of physical exercise – you have to spend energy to have energy.
There are some simple tips that can help most of these problems
· Listen to your body, pay attention to how foods make you feel when you eat. Do they make you feel energized and happy or sluggish and tired? You can also try an elimination diet to see if you have any intolerances.
· Eat lots of fruits and veg – to increase your nutrients, juices are a great way to get your 7 per day (yes I said 7, new research shows that actually 7 portions of fruit and veg is what we should be aiming for, and remember it’s better to eat more veg than fruit)
· Wholefoods – eating wholefoods has so many advantages over the more common ‘white’ processed foods that are so readily available. High in nutrients and fiber, they also generally have a low GL (slow releasing sugars) which can help sustain energy throughout the day.
· Water – Our bodies need water for everything so be kind and make sure you are drinking at least 2 liters of water throughout the day
· Sleep – gives our bodies a chance to rest and repair, ensuring you are getting circa 8 hours of good quality sleep is very important. Going to bed and getting up at a regular time allows our bodies to develop regular hormonal and circadian rhythms.
· Relax – busy modern life throws stress at us from all angles. So learn how to deal with the stressors in your life. Avoid or reduce stress were you can and also find ways to deal with the stress that you can’t avoid. Yoga, meditation, or relaxing activities you enjoy are all ways to reduce the impact stress has on your body and mind.
· Plan – creating a plan is vital when making any changes in your life. Typically in the clinic I would work with people on a plan where we look at their Goals – health and life, and create a plan that includes dietary changes, lifestyle modification (stress management, work/life balance, exercise) and the use of other supportive therapies such as Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy. Results are often seen within a couple of weeks but the plan normally covers 2 months or hopefully a lifetime of good habits for wellbeing! You can also do a simple plan at home as well using the tips above.
