What makes us sick? We do, and during the holidays we do even more of all the “right” things to make us sick. If we want to be well, we need to moderate the formula for a perfect illness.
On the top of the list is stress. Stress is interpreted by the body as a fight or flight response. The body shuts down everything not needed to either fight or flee: digestion, immune function and many others. When you are stressed your immune system is down. The more stressed you are, the weaker it is. If that were the only problem, then you could probably still manage without getting sick.
However, that’s when you also eat the poorest. Due to the frenzied race for getting the best Christmas gifts, going to parties and social events, maybe even participating in a Christmas program or two, meals become second fiddle. Eating at fast foods places, restaurants or grabbing quick microwavable foods become the norm during this time, rather than the exception. These foods are generally poor in nutritional quality. During stressful times, the need for quality foods increases, as nutritional demands by the body increases. Yet, instead, we eat dead foods, or we skip meals and expect to have the life and vitality so needed at this time. Add to that the extra sugar, also an immune-suppressant and viola! Disease results.
Then, we have weather. In Oriental Medicine, cold, wet weather is deemed one of the “6 Evils” that contribute to poor health. Your body’s protective energies get dulled (also called weakened immunity). Two of the most important ways to guard your “protective Qi” is to wear clothing that keeps your back (specifically kidney area) warm and wear a neck scarf any time you are out doors or cool air is blowing on your neck.
Two immune – helpful things that tend to get dropped out during this time is exercise and health care. During the time it’s needed the most, people cut back on their treatments that keep the immune system functioning best (in addition to reducing their other symptoms). These treatments include acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, nutritional counseling, etc. When the body is stressed, the physiology of the body is stressed, leaving you more prone to illness. This is not the time to cut back treatments! Exercise also gets cut back. Exercise is also helpful to improving general health, as well as the immune system. But because everyone is so busy they just say “I don’t have the time”. This, combined with the other factors equate to the perfect formula for illness!
So the next time you are sick and asking in dismay “Why am I sick? I don’t have time for this?”, remember that you didn’t take the time to be well!
© 2009 Holly A. Carling, O.M.D., L.Ac., Ph.D.
