Feeling Under The Weather: How To Rebuild Your Body!

This is a contributed post.

There’s so much going around at this time of year that the chances are you will most probably fall foul to a cough, cold, stomach bug, or something else at one point or another, leaving you feeling a little under the weather. When it comes to feeling unwell, one of the problems that a lot of us have is getting back on our feet, because a lot of illnesses tend to drag on and on.

Whether you’ve been suffering from a nasty bout of flu, have had a stomach bug, or have just been feeling a little out of sorts, you need to take the time to rebuild your body. The term ‘rebuilding your body’ may sound a little odd but what it means is building up your immune system and health, allowing you to get back on your feet and feeling good again.

If you’re currently feeling a little under the weather, here are some tips to bear in mind.

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Drink plenty of fluids

When you’re feeling under the weather, drinking plenty of fluids is a must. While it’s fine not to eat if you don’t feel hungry, it’s important to ensure that you are drinking plenty of fluids. If you fail to do this, you could become dehydrated, leading to a lack of energy and a lower immune system. So, it’s crucial that you are drinking plenty of fluids.

As well as drinking at least two litres of water each day, drinking green tea can be a good option. Green tea is packed full of antioxidants, meaning that if you drink green tea on a regular basis, it will help to detoxify your liver, boosting the immune system.

Another drink that is a must if you’re feeling unwell is hot honey and lemon. Mix half the juice of a lemon with boiling water and a teaspoon or two of honey - use Manuka honey or good quality local honey, and it’s even better. Honey has antibacterial properties so is ideal for helping to kill any lingering germs.

Eat lots of healthy, wholesome foods

When it comes to boosting your immune system, what you are feeding your body with plays a big part. It’s not just about eating healthily, although that does help - it’s about putting the right foods into your body.

Take kiwi, for instance; this contains more vitamin C than an orange - vitamin C is crucial for a healthy immune system. So, if you’re feeling under the weather, eating plenty of kiwi is a must, as it will help to give your immune system the kick it needs.

Another fantastic food to eat when you’re feeling unwell is live yogurt. Live yogurt is packed full of good bacteria that can aid digestion, giving you a healthier and happier stomach.

Garlic and ginger are another two foods that it’s recommended that you eat when you’re unwell. This is because Garlic is naturally antibacterial and has antiviral properties, meaning that it can help to fight off infections. Aim to eat four cloves of fresh garlic a day, or if you’re not keen on eating so much garlic and are worried about the odor, try using odorless garlic tablets instead. As for ginger, ginger raises the body temperature, causing you to sweat - sweating can often lead to you to sweat out toxins and bad bacteria, speeding up the healing process.

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See your doctor

When we’re feeling under the weather, a lot of us put off seeing a doctor. There are many reasons why we do this: these include not feeling like it’s necessary, not wanting to waste their time, and worrying about the cost of medical treatment. However, if you’re feeling unwell and haven’t been yourself for over a week, it’s always a good idea to go and get checked out by a doctor.

Don’t worry about wasting your doctor’s time, if you’re feeling unwell, then no doctor is going to think of you as a time waster. Honestly, when it comes to your health, it’s always best to be safe than sorry - ask any doctor, and they will tell you the same thing. If you’re worried about covering the cost of your treatment, there are various prescription assistance programs that you could look into applying for, helping to keep the cost of any medicine that you need low.

Have a steamy bath

Obviously, if you’re already feeling dizzy, getting in a hot bath is a big no-no. However, a steamy bath can help to get rid of any bad bacteria that are still lurking in your body. So, if you’re feeling up to it, spend 20-minutes or so sat in a hot bath, breathing in the steam. If you can’t face a hot bath, simply sit in the bathroom with the hot water and steam - this should work just as well as actually getting in the bath.

De-stress with yoga

Various studies have shown that high levels of stress can lower our immune systems. So, if you want to speed up your recovery time, you need to ensure that you are as calm and relaxed as possible, as any stress will just slow down the healing process.

A great way to de-stress is by practicing a form of meditation-based exercise, such as yoga or pilates. If you’re feeling up to it, you could attend a local class, or if you don’t fancy leaving the house, you could always practice yoga or pilates at home - there are plenty of tutorials online.

It doesn’t matter how or where you practice yoga or pilates, just as long as you are effectively using one of these forms of exercise to reduce your stress levels. The lower your levels of stress, the better, especially when it comes to healing after a bout of illness.

When you’re feeling under the weather, you need to take the time to rebuild your body (and your immune system). By taking note of the tips above and implementing them, you can speed up the process and get back to feeling well again in no time at all.