Leading a good life isn’t like how it used to be for some. Many of us grow up dreaming about owning our own home, having that nice car, perfect job and a holiday every year. There are those of us who reach that dream.
However, for one in five Australians, the dream is completely different. Their dream is being able to get out of bed each day and function normally. You may be able to relate to this – perhaps you or a loved one is one of those five Australians or you’re in a career where you meet and advocate for those who experience a lot of pain for one reason or another.
If you’re not one of those one in five Australians that suffer from chronic pain to this extent, but work with Australians that do, read on – this may provide you with some invaluable insight. The advice I give in this post is invaluable to everyone – even if you’re not in chronic pain. Why? Because prevention is certainly cheaper than the cure. Part of the expense is losing your quality of life. Without your health, you have nothing!
Your well-being is integral to leading a happy life. If you are not physically well and mentally sound, then how will you be able to enjoy the pleasures of life? How will you be able to continue working that perfect job or continue having a holiday every year?
Chronic pain or illness is a major obstacle that eliminates your capability to perform a task.
Here are some ways to keep your immune system strong and combat pain.
Get Moving
Getting into a movement routine is good and maintaining it is even better. Many people in the corporate world do not move enough. If necessary, start slow and steady and work up to 30 minutes every day. This is an effective way to strengthen your stamina and help the body to rid toxins. Getting rid of toxins results in less pressure on your strained body.
I personally found this movement routine an incredible benefit. After a week I noticed a tremendous change my stamina. I want you to know that it doesn’t matter how small you start. I started with two minutes a day and built up to 30 minutes. It took me six months to get there but I did it. For those one in five Australians who dream of functioning normally, this can be extremely difficult. When I was in that place, I had days I didn’t want to move. I had days where I didn’t move. And I had days where I wanted to give up completely. But I overcame it.
To learn more about this and to get support, join our FREE Facebook community.
Change your food choice and go for healthy foods
When you’re working in a busy corporate role, it can be extremely difficult to eat healthily. This also applies to those Australians in chronic pain. Just imagine it for a moment – if you’re in too much pain and don’t want to move, then you’re not going to be thinking about eating healthily.
However, eating habits that are not improving health put more stress on your body that is already struggling. My rule of thumb is the acronym MAN:
- Man-made – less than 10%
- Animal – less than 20% (this is much less for me as I don’t really eat meat at all and don’t drink milk – love cheese though!)
- Nature – green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, sprouts, fibre-rich foods and legumes.
Try to avoid fried food items, packed or frozen items and those with a high content of white flour.
When I shifted to this way of eating, I found a massive reduction to my pain and I actually felt much better. I also didn’t feel as bloated as previously.
Breathe
We underestimate how much breathing can impact our pain. Think about what the midwife’s say to expectant mothers in the delivery ward. Breath, breath, breath. This is my breathing strategy:
- Breathe in for 5 – so, count 1 and two and 3 and 4 and 5
- Hold for 6 – so, count 1 and two and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6
- Exhale for 7 – so, count 1 and two and 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 and 7
This is your goal to get to. This is challenging at first for some people. I’ve recommended to clients who’ve struggled with this to adjust this exercise to themselves and where they’re at – which maybe 3, 4 or 5.
This is an easy exercise to do regularly as no equipment is required. You can do it at traffic lights, waiting in line, waiting for the kettle to boil or sitting down and taking 10 minutes to do it.
If you are struggling (or you have clients struggling with pain) – remember you or your clients are more than welcome to join our FREE Facebook community for support
Laugh your way to life
Who doesn’t enjoy a laugh? I love having a good laugh and this is why I added it as part of my Facebook community and I encourage people in there to share a laugh. You’ve probably heard the saying “laughter is the best medicine.” And it really is. What you may not realise is that laughter boosts the hormones of your immune system and makes you feel recharged. So, don’t hesitate to laugh. It’s free!
Most of these strategies will not cost you a dime and cutting out some of the pre-packaged foods and meat can also be a money saver. The reason I share this is because when we are in pain, we don’t want to be more of a financial burden. Another reason is that we’ve been brainwashed to spend money on ineffective pain treatment. I won’t say much more on this but if you wish to know more then join our webinar where I explain effective treatments versus ineffective. You may know others who would also benefit from this webinar – if so, feel free to share!
Well, these are some basic tips to use in daily life to boost your immunity. I know that health concerns, slipped disc, back pain, headaches or knee pain hamper your joy and happiness. Such chronic health ailments need immediate attention, otherwise they can lead to prolonged illness. And knowing what works and what doesn’t is an expensive trial and error – not just on one’s pocket but also on one’s mental health.
Stay Happy and Healthy!
