Ugh, Sick AGAIN?!?!

Hello Friends,

This winter season has been a rough season for many people.  So many parents have complained that their kids have been sick non stop this year, and that each flu, cold, or episode has been worse than the last.  I would agree, I do think viruses are becoming stronger.  Afterall, they are an organism trying just as hard as we are to survive.  While I don't like it either, these viruses are doing everything in their microbe power to ensure evolution and survival too.  

Looking back to my own childhood, I used to really like being sick.  It was a time that I was allowed to watch all the TV I wanted, rest, and get extra love from my mom.  She would make delicious soup, and she was extra caring.  While I wasn't conscious of this at age 7, looking back being sick was nice. Comparing how "things used to be" to now.  I think its safe to say that there is significantly more stress in all of our lives now, compared to "before".  Or maybe just in my social circle.  What if being sick was actually a good thing?  And I'm talking about common colds and flus, not serious diseases that require months to years of medical attention, and normally include surgery as a cure.  But maybe there is a correlation too...  So what if being sick was actually a good thing?  When we are sick and allow our bodies to fight off what ever is going on inside us actually makes us stronger, so that we don't catch that strain again.  Does anybody remember when parents would bring their kids to play with another kid when they had chicken pox?  That used to be a common thing, because once they got the chicken pox, yes it was painful, but then we would never get it again in our life because our bodies now knew that virus strain, and developed anti-bodies against chicken pox.  
What is going on when we are sick?  We are slow, achy, and usually can only muster enough energy to sleep, read, or watch TV.  What if that is what we need?  I have noticed that life has become so fast paced.  There is a constant need to achieve, strive, develop or accomplish.  A lot of us are stretching ourselves so thin in time, jam packed schedules, and our budget/finances.  Parents hate it when their kid is sick, maybe for different reason, but often jumping to Tylenol or other pain relievers/fervor reducers. I'm not saying these are bad, but maybe we shouldn't jump to these quick fixes so easily.  When we are sick, the single best thing for our bodies is rest and hydration.  I am a very strong believer that it is not possible to get sick if we are fully hydrated and fully rested.  Maybe when we do get sick, this is our body saying "I need a break."

From being a flight attendant, and working at a preschool, and occasionally babysitting; I'm exposed to a lot of viruses.  And I don't remember the last time I was sick.  I think it has been over two years.  While I defiantly have my own stressors (see the article about my habits).  I do see a lot of different lifestyles. I see parents that are overworked, and don't spend "enough" time with their kids.  I say "enough" because the kids are often unsatisfied with how much (little) time they spend with their parents.  I've seen kids, being angry at one or both parents.  I've seen kids cry for me or another teacher, rather than their parents, because they don't feel comfort from their parents, they are literally with me more waking hours in the week than either one of their parents.  I see my friends, and myself, loading my schedule with work so that I/we can "get ahead."  Almost everyone I know and talk to, is cutting it really close with their finances, almost nobody has a reserve.  Most of us are just barely surviving, or even living on or credit cards, like some of my family members.  And our diet! Oh man, what we eat is so important.  I'm noticing that more and more people are developing allergies that they didn't have before.  Myself included.  I've developed a gluten allergy.  Maybe I was always allergic and didn't notice, but now the physical reactions are painful.  While I do typically eat very healthy, this week, I decided to try to eat more raw food.  I have so much less flem!  I know that's gross I'm sorry.  But I think that so many of us are going so fast that we just reach for whatever is close, and very often that is something processed and packaged.

But when we are sick, how do we treat ourselves?  We slow down, we take naps, we eat more soup, fruits and vegetables.  We just focus on feeling better.  I don't know if you've ever noticed, but if you feel stressed out, and want to feel better already!!!!  Doesn't it seem to linger on forever?  Sometimes even more than a month.  Talk about annoying!

I'd like to encourage you to slow down, allow time for rest, allow time for happiness.  Work on incorporating more fruits and vegetables into our daily diets, and work on reducing financial obligations, so that there can be a rainy day fund, a few months of bills for backup, or maybe even pay off some outstanding debts.  

I do think that getting sick is just a symptom of what's going on in our lives, and maybe its not such a bad thing to be forced to rest.  Its an opportunity for us to re-evaluate and check in,  AND a chance for our bodies to become stronger. 

Wishing you love, happiness, and Health in 2017 and beyond!