Positive Thinking During Illness

Illness is a part of life. We all get sick and sicker, but we cannot get healthier without health. Sickness can be due to many things: viruses, bacteria, pathogens, inflammation, and toxicity among others.

Unfortunately, because of the internet and social media, there has been a rise in negative perceptions of illness. People have started to associate illness with guilt—as if getting sick is a bad thing.

This concept of “healthy” has led to a lot of stress among people who do not look or feel as fit and healthy as the next person. This stress only makes illness worse as your body struggles to fight it off.

It is important to learn how to be positive during illness so that you can heal faster and with less stress.

Think about getting better, not feeling bad

One way to develop positive thinking is to focus on the benefits of getting better, not on feeling bad about being sick.

For example, you can think about the rest you’re getting, the money you’re saving by not going out and spending money on things or taking time off work, and the fact that you’re not passing your illness onto anyone else.

You can also think about all of the things you can do to get better- there are plenty of ways to stay busy and get rest at the same time.

Another thing to consider is thinking positively about your physical symptoms. For instance, if you have a headache, think about how it is letting you stop doing things that make your head hurt, like working or exercising.

Relax and recover faster

When you are sick, your goal should be to relax and recover as fast as possible. This can be harder than it sounds!

You may feel tired or exhausted, but staying active can keep you feeling bad for longer. By staying active, you are not allowing your body to recover.

Sleep as much as you need to and don’t worry about chores or obligations until you feel like you can handle them. This is also a hard one because we often feel obligated to keep going when we are sick.

When you’re sick, it’s OK to take a day off work or school — and probably even advisable, depending on the illness. You deserve some rest, so don’t feel guilty about it.

If you can’t avoid germs, use sanitation methods such as gloves and masks. This way, you can still interact with people while you’re sick.

Say ‘no’ to things that make you feel bad

It can be hard to say no to things you enjoy but if they make you feel bad, then it’s important to recognize that.

If you enjoy running but it makes you feel bad, then take a break from it. If going out with your friends makes you feel bad, then don’t go out with them.

Avoid things that make you stressed or unhappy and try to do things that make you feel good. When you’re feeling good, you’ll feel better enough to do the things that make you feel good.

It can be hard to recognize the difference between feeling good and feeling bad at times, but once you learn how to distinguish them, it will get easier.

For instance, feeling good may come from knowing that your illness is not as serious as doctors thought and that you will be back to normal soon.

Make time for self-care

Illness can be exhausting. Taking time to rest and recuperate is important.

If you are ill, try not to worry about things you need to do or think about how long you’ll feel bad.

Remind yourself that it won’t last forever and that you’re doing what you can to feel better.

Healing takes time, so be kind to yourself as you do so.

It can be difficult to know what self-care means for each person. It depends on what individuals value in their lives and what makes them feel good.

Some things that may contribute to feeling better include: sleeping more or less than usual, changing your diet, taking warm or cold showers, exercising or relaxing more, and taking days off of work or school.

It’s important to figure out what helps you individually.

Talk to your doctor about possible treatments

Once you’ve completed the self-examination phase and determined that there’s a need to see a doctor, your next step is to talk to your doctor about treatments.

Doctors are trained professionals who have spent years learning how to treat illness. They are also aware of the various treatments for different illnesses and which ones work best.

Furthermore, they have access to medical tests and labs that can determine what type of illness you have and what treatment will be most effective.

By talking to your doctor about possible treatments, you are putting more power in their hands and increasing your chance of getting better.

If you have already decided that you want to try natural remedies before seeing your doctor, then research some of them online or talk to someone who has used them for help with them.

Manage your stress and anxiety

When you’re ill, your body is dealing with a lot. Your body has to fight off the infection or illness, which can be stressful for your body.

Additionally, you may have stress about managing your symptoms, worrying that you won’t recover or that you’ll have to change your routines and activities.

Stress and anxiety can make you feel worse so it’s important to try and manage this as well.

Practice calming techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises and journaling.

If journaling is difficult because of the emotional toll the illness takes on you, try writing down comforting words instead.

Look for resources that help you manage your stress and anxiety so that you can return to normal life after you’re sick.

Think positively about your life

Illness can make you focus too much on what you can’t do. You may feel limited in what activities you enjoy and who you can interact with.

It’s easy to feel sad or even angry about this, but negative feelings only make things worse. Instead, try to focus on the things you enjoy and are grateful for.

Practice making positive statements about your life, about what you enjoy and what you do well. When feeling ill, this will help boost confidence and put a smile on your face.

Practice making positive statements about your life, about what you enjoy and what you do well. When feeling ill, this will help boost confidence and put a smile on your face.

Be proactive with your health

Health is a very broad topic, so be prepared to talk about everything from diet to exercise to sleep. There are many things you can do to improve your health, and your doctor will be a great resource for guidance.

Your doctor will order certain tests depending on what symptoms you report and what health concerns they have regarding your illness. For example, if you report pain, they will likely order a test to determine whether or not you have any structural damage or disease.

When talking about health with your doctor, be sure to mention any changes in your health that have occurred recently. This way, your doctor can investigate whether these changes are related to your current illness.

Health is a very important aspect of our lives that we often take for granted until something happens that brings it into focus. By being aware of changes in your health and taking the initiative to talk to your doctor about them, you may be able to get answers and relief.