Another sign that things are going right in your world (# 5 of 7 signs in our series) is that you easily resist getting sick. Everyone around you can be coughing and hacking, yet your immune system is up to the task of keeping you healthy. It's a good thing!
On the other hand, if you're the person who gets every little bug, listen up. This means something. One of the things it means is that your immune system isn't doing as good a job for you as you might like.
Now sometimes people figure, well, who cares? It's too much trouble to do the things I'd need to do to make a change. I can deal with a cold once in a while. And you probably can. But what about the bigger guns -- cancer for instance? Let's think about this some more.
There are lots of reasons for a strong immune system. You eat the right foods, get all the micro-nutrients your body needs, were born to of hearty stock, live in a climate that suits you, get lots of rest, manage stress well, etc. These are the things most of us know about already, so we won't dwell on them here.
What I'd like to do today is introduce two holistic factors that some people may not have considered. Both have a direct effect on staying well and healthy.
1. You meet your personal needs on a regular basis, allowing time for fun. Even for pampering, if that's what makes you feel good.
True story from one of my college professors: He told us that each winter, he'd get the obligatory cold. Sniffling, sneezing, and the whole bit. Just enough that he'd feel obliged to take a couple days off work to recuperate and avoid exposing everyone else he knew. He accepted these seasonal colds as normal.
One day, someone asked him if he'd like to avoid his annual cold the next year. Surprised, he said, "sure!"
His friend then asked what he did while he was sick. "Well, I rest for a while and then usually spend the rest of the day playing my guitar." (A hobby he was really passionate about!)
The friend then asked how much time he spent playing the guitar otherwise. "Hardly at all," he replied. "I'm just too busy."
You can see it coming, can't you? Once he started taking time to play the guitar more often in "real life," he no longer had the need to get sick in order to persue his favorite hobby. Hadn't gotten a cold in years!
2. Protection. Your immune system protects you from danger. It will work as hard as you do to keep you healthy. In other words, every day, you set the standard for your immune system with your behavior and your thoughts. If you act as though you believe you're worth protecting, your immune system will get the message and step up to the plate.
This is a self-esteem issue. Do whatever it takes to get your self-esteem up to par and your immune system will thank you. (A great way to do that is to live according to your values, doing things that make you proud to be you!)
Readers: Think you don't have time to manage the little stuff? Well, maybe it's not about time. Maybe it's about energy. Preview the new Word Cures "Less Stress; More Time" mini-course to get the connection.
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Elizabeth Eckert can help you explore how simple everyday choices create health — or undermine even the best of intentions. With a background that ranges from energy medicine to structural bodywork to developmental psychology, this "Stick-To-It Coach" has the experience to support you in creating the healthiest possible expression of — you!
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Comments (1)
I really liked your post - especially the part about doing things you enjoy on a regular basis - taking time for yourself.
This is such an important thing to do. I think we get too busy sometimes to remember to do this. Thanks for the reminder!
Posted by Eline | November 30, 2007 11:11 PM
Posted on November 30, 2007 23:11