Listening to Your Body

Happy Day!

Last week when I wrote, I did not realize what was ahead of me. I woke up last Monday morning with a severe sinus headache, chills, a persistent cough, and fatigue. I hated to do it, but I cancelled all my appointments for Monday. I figured patients would not appreciate me coughing all over them.

I'm not a pill popper. I very rarely take any type of medication. It isn't some sort of self-torture, but rather because I like to listen to my body. Symptoms are our body's way of telling us something isn't right. Commonly, it is our symptoms that are designed to protect us from outside invaders. Symptoms are our body's defense shield.

Sneezing, coughing, nasal congestion, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, etc are lines of defense that are essential to our survival. Most over-the-counter (OTC) medications rob us of our ability to defend ourselves from outside invaders. Taking an anti-histamine to dry up a runny nose is like tying our hands behind our back and telling us to protect ourselves from someone attacking us.

Many people no longer listen to their body. Many are unaware of subtle changes that occur with the body. Instant gratification leads many people to reach for the antacids, Tylenol, or Benadryl. Many don't stop to think about what their body is trying to tell them.

Your body is intelligent enough to "know what to do" when it encounters danger. Modern medicine has robbed us of our ability to fight illness and infection the way our body was designed. Modern medicine works great for emergencies and crisis care. The common cold, the flu, sinus congestion, urinary tract infections are not emergencies or crises in most cases.

Adopting a wellness lifestyle requires you to be in-tune with and to listen to the messages your body tries to tell you. If your communication with your body has been one-sided for too long, it will take time to rekindle your relationship. Be patient. You won't regret it.

By the way, the sinus headache I had last Monday was terrible. After suffering all day, I decided to take Tylenol to ease the discomfort. Needless to say, I was feeling a bit better on Tuesday so I returned to the office. I didn't feel terrible enough to stay home again. Deep down I knew I wasn't truly better, but because I "felt" better I couldn't convince myself to stay home one more day to rest. As a result of not listening to my body, I came back too soon and prolonged the duration of my symptoms. Sometimes it is best to listen to your mind and other times it is best to listen to your body. Unfortunately, I listened to the wrong source this time around!

Wellness is something we can all achieve on varying degrees. Continue on your path to wellness, this week, by being more in-tune with your body.

Until next week, BE FIT. EAT RIGHT. THINK WELL.


- Dr. Steve