Getting Sick Is Not Fun; It’s Miserable

Let’s face it. Getting sick sucks. Doesn’t matter what kind of sick it is, it’s all bad. And yet it happens to the best of us, regardless of what we do to keep those nasty germs at bay.

You would think that we’d all be used to the germs floating around after spending 2 years with COVID. But being used to it and actually dealing with it are completely different things. And why, might you wonder, are you still getting sick? You’re not in an office with recirculated air. You’re not under the same stress as you were when you were working. Chances are, you’re taking better care of yourself than you ever have before. So why are you still getting sick?

There are a number of reasons people get sick, beyond the obvious of germs floating in the air. Here are just a few of those reasons with some tips on how to overcome them.

Stress

We’ve discussed stress before. While we might think that we have reduced the amount of stress in our lives without the daily grind of the job, being unemployed is stressful. We’re navigating a new normal. Stress is the #1 reason people get sick. Our bodies become run down when we are stressed and we tend to partake in unhealthy habits.

There are a lot of strategies and tactics available to help you reduce stress. Consider meditation or journaling. Both provide an outlet for releasing your heavier thoughts and feelings. Taking part in activities you love is another great way to reduce stress. Remember those hobbies? They are a great way to soothe your mind.

Lack of Sleep

A 2015 study showed that those who get less than 6 hours of sleep a night are more prone to get sick than those who got at least 7 hours. When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, it doesn’t have the energy and reserves to fight off the germs that float around in everyday life.

Sleep really is sweet. Make sure you get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, more if you are feeling under the weather.

A Good Diet

Our bodies need certain nutrients to stay healthy. And Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc are at the top of that list. These are nutrients our bodies use every day, but out bodies don’t produce them so we need to consume them.

By increasing the consumption of these nutrients, we can help our bodies stay healthy. Vitamin C and Zinc can be found in various foods and increase in consumption can be achieved through your diet. Vitamin D, however, is a bit trickier as it isn’t found in a lot of foods. The necessary consumption of Vitamin D can be achieved – as it can be for Vitamin C and Zinc, also – with supplements. Just be sure you use a high-quality, targeted supplement.

Exercise

Exercise can be a two-edged sword. Both too much and too little exercise can lead to you getting sick. Too much exercise can put undue stress on your body, wearing it down and opening it up to getting sick. Too little exercise and your immunity suffers.

A well-balanced exercise routine can help you walk that line between too much and too little. Remember, there are opportunities all around us in our everyday lives for us to get exercise. And there are sports that offer even more opportunities. Plus, the exercise helps with reducing stress and helping us sleep at night – reducing the effects of 2 other causes of getting sick.

Getting sick is inevitable. No one is immune. And when you do get sick, listen to your body. Do what you need to do to get better. But, by making a few changes in your life, you may be able to reduce how often you get sick tremendously.