With the average person getting 200 colds in a lifetime, we are almost all vulnerable to the spread of pesky invisible bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
Is there something we can learn from suffering inflicted by microorganisms?
In today’s article we’ll explore 4 surprising practices that can make us feel better when we’re home, miserable and sick.
Pick one (or more), and see what happens!
I suspect that once you start reading these, you’ll think of more, so please post your thoughts & experiences below in the comments!
1 Practice Self-Compassion
It’s happened – you’re sick.
Don’t beat up on yourself up for any reason whatsoever.
Notice how completely unhelpful “blame” is – and kindly put away thoughts of blaming yourself (or anyone) – as they come up.
Instead, say these words: “I care about my suffering.”
Repeat often.
Consciously recognize the benefits of self-compassion.
Potentially, make it a new, life-changing habit!
2 Enjoy Rest!
Enjoy some rest, including a healing nap.
For this short period of time, your only job is to rest and relax. If you have a busy life, this is a rare luxury!
Yes you have a million things to do – but for now, rest, heal, nap, (watch something amazing on netflix!).
If you can find a way to relax and enjoy this rest period, you may find yourself healing faster, as described in this article by Dr. Matthew Edlund.
“Rest is the original transformative technology. Through rest we rebuild, rewire and renew ourselves – literally.”.
3 Ask for Help / Allow for Help
Remember how great it feels to help others?
Sometimes, we could use a helping hand.
When we ask for help, and allow ourselves to be helped, we are actually providing an opportunity for our loved ones to do good, and feel good!
We are letting a flow of loving energy complete a loop.
Most major religions touch on the idea of “rejoicing in the good deeds of others” – and we can benefit from practicing this too.
Of course, many people – women, men, introverts – struggle with asking for help.
If this sounds like you, start with something small!
Even simply noticing yourself saying “no thanks” to an offer of help is a good first step. Where are you blocking help? Why? Where can you say “yes please,” and what happens when you do that instead?
Try to embrace and explore this opportunity, if it’s appropriate for you.
4 Thank You Microorganisms!
Gratitude. Is it counterintuitive to practice gratitude when you’re sick?
More and more evidence is emerging about the health benefits of practicing gratitude, even when there seems to be little reason.
Gratitude for your cozy bed.
Gratitude for a hot bowl of soup.
Gratitude for your cat who is super happy to have you at home today! : )
Gratitude that you get a chance to read this blog post instead of going to work?
Don’t you feel better already?! : )
Being sick is no fun.
But in order to squeeze lemonade from lemons, try these 4 practices to get well faster, and (of course) grow as a spiritual being having a human experience!
- Self Compassion
- Savour some extra rest
- Ask & allow help
- Gratitude!
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Guest blogger Andrea Schmidt is a Canadian artist, virtual communications assistant (graphic designer & content writer) helping to empower compassionate entrepreneurs to grow their business!
Thanks Stacie Overman and happy Sunday to you.
This lessons have really thought something and I appreciate it ,once again I say thank you.
Help and Allow help is one thing in illness that people do and I do when am ill,refusing to be helped and been shown some level of care is one thing that happens in me either to show how ill I am or because I feel I just don’t need it,a lot to it but today I have learnt to accept been helped in such situations.
Question;-
1.) What of if you don’t really need this help ,do you still accept it ?
2.) Do you accept all helps when you are ill?
3.) When you accept unwanted help when you are ill,does it also add to your healing ?
Will appreciate genuine response in regards my above questions.
God bless you All and Happy Sunday☕
Best Regards
Valentine O. Makwe
Welcome Valentine,
Honestly, I know it may seem odd to accept help that is unwanted when sick. When I was battling cancer there was times that I experienced that myself. I had to step back and recognize that it wasn’t about me. It was about them. So by me being open to allow gave them an opportunity to feel good about giving. Sometimes it is a lesson for them to learn for them be blessed by the act of giving. Of course boundaries and discernment are always good. I encourage one to double check why you may say No. 🙂
Angel Kisses, Stacie
Hi Valentine. Thank you for posting these extremely valuable and thought-provoking questions. Unwanted help – a topic that doesn’t get discussed a lot, although I strongly suspect people with disabilities may have a lot to share on the topic. I have experienced this – sometimes it takes me more energy to say “no thank you” than it does to just accept unwanted help. For me (and I’m not saying this applies to anyone else), the lesson was in setting boundaries and learning to firmly say no, something that it has taken me a very long time to learn! For me personally (again, I can only speak for myself), more healing came when I spoke my truth and learned to clearly said “no thanks.” This felt like extremely valuable learning for me.
Thank you ever so much stacie!! I enjoyed this it was spot on. I too had bad sinus infection and flu. Gratitude does help. Slowing down made me realize I needed to concentrate on me for a change.. bless you. Glad your feeling better. DEE
You are so welcome Dee. Hope you are feeling better now. Hugs, Stacie