No one likes to be sick. Most illnesses catch us by surprise when we least expect it. However, managing the infection determines how fast you recover from it.
Each condition has its unique type of care. For example, post-Covid care has a much different recovery plan than healing a broken leg. However, there are basic recovery measures that, when followed, can help one feel better faster. Read to learn how to overcome an illness:
Control Your Thoughts
How do you react once you receive the news about your illness? It is normal to worry or stress depending on the disease. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic illness like cancer, with the stigmatization knowledge in mind, it opens room for panic.
People have different ways of dealing with stress. However, you should remember that your immune system is low at that moment. When you are stressed, you invoke other body responses like increased heart rate, leading to increased blood pressure, fast breathing, and muscle tightness. If stress prolongs for days, it only causes your immune system to get suppressed, thus slowing the recovery process.
Have Plenty of Rest Time
It is easy to want to keep working or school work even when you are ill in a fast lane economy. It is necessary to listen to your body, especially at this time, by not trying too much until your body regains the energy. Besides, if you suffer from an infectious condition, you protect others from getting it.
That rest time will help you bounce back to your active life soon, so you should not gamble with it. Take your relaxation time more seriously and go to bed earlier than usual. Sleeping is the best remedy to slow down your body, and it quickens your immune system to fight off the illness.
Exercise
If you are not used to resting every time, you will likely feel some muscle and joint stiffness from all the long bedtime. However, it is equally important to check with your doctor if you are unsure. For conditions involving your respiratory system like cases of flu or COVID, they are likely to recommend 20-30 minutes of activities like walking, biking, or jogging since they ease the nasal congestion.
You may not have the ability to do intense physical activity in the usual way you do. If you feel too weak to exercise, do not push it and wait till your body feels strong enough to do a workout, but resume this gradually. In the meantime, you can engage in moderate exercises for a short time and increase the intensity of the workouts as your body grows stronger over time.
Hydrate
Some illnesses have symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting, which lead to loss of bodily fluids and dehydration. Some medications can also cause one to urinate frequently. Therefore, your body needs constant fluid replenishment as it also helps fight off the illness.
Keeping up with the hydration needs can be quite hard for some individuals, even under normal circumstances. However, other healthy alternatives like herbal tea, broths, smoothies, or watery fruits help with that. In the meantime, avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol since they will only leave you feeling more dehydrated.
Eat Restorative Foods
When you are ill, the temptation to indulge in junk foods or sugary snacks will rise since your appetite could be lower than usual. That is understandable; however, some of your medication may worsen the situation by making you feel weak.
Your body also needs to be replenished with nutrients which fasten the recovery process. You do not have to overindulge by taking a whole bowl of food, but you can still eat light meals at different times throughout the day. If you do not have the muscle to cook your meals, seek support from loved ones to ensure that your nutrition needs are well taken care of.
Get Social Support
Besides other things, meaningful relationships equally have a massive impact on our lives. Having people to turn to in a moment of crisis builds up positive thoughts and helps you maintain your quality of life.
Serious illnesses require a social circle that cares for you and wants to see you better, and as we stated earlier, we would not want you to be under any stress. So, do not hesitate to reach out to your family and friends to catch up or make them aware of how they can support you. Do not also shy away from joining support groups or other groups of interest that relate to your illness. With people around you will not feel alone, and you are almost assured of a quick recovery process.
Stay in Touch with Your Doctor
With plenty of information on the internet, it is easy to follow other people’s ways of recovering from a similar illness. People have all sorts of advice regarding medication, supplements, food, etc. Most times, following those tips only makes it worse.
We must also remember that everyone’s body is unique and reacts differently to even common diseases. Therefore, before you follow anyone’s advice, ensure that your physician knows of it. That way, they will do a follow-up, and it also helps them treat you better.
An illness can make you feel devastated, and of course, it makes you not experience the best version of yourself. However, handling it the right way counts in the recovery process. As long as you do what is required, you will bounce back within no time! Lastly, always remember that your health is your responsibility, so ensure that you do everything needful to keep your health in shape!
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.
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