Rest — the lost art
Looking back at traditional healing systems, convalescence (the period of recovery after illness) was a major foundation of health. It’s something we have completely lost touch with in recent times, with advances in modern medicine making it easier for us to get back to our ‘normal’ life after illness. While I honour some of the amazing discoveries in medicine, there is a downfall to trying to quickly push ourselves back to the lifestyle that first created this dis-ease in the body.
What we are seeing more now than ever is the rise in post-viral syndrome, where we fail to make a full recovery because we don’t allow our bodies to completely clear viruses/infections, in our rush to speed up the healing process and ‘normalise’ life again.
The period of rest goes beyond when the symptoms have disappeared; it can last weeks or even months. While being sick is never comfortable, it is an opportunity to sit with yourself and understand where in your life you could implement more ease and balance. Every symptom is a message, and we are so quick to dismiss them without proper understanding.
Some ways to support your body through the recovery period:
🤍 Swap to gentle forms of exercise such as yoga or walking in nature
🤍 Support your liver clearance: avoid alcohol and chemical toxins, lots of cruciferous veg (broccoli, kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts), drink dandelion tea
🤍 Drink lots of water: aim for 3 litres a day
🤍 Get sunshine on your skin: at least 10-15 minutes of sun on arms, legs, and face with no sun screen
🤍 Don’t feel guilty about not being productive. Allow yourself to enjoy a new book or movie
🤍 Practice mindful breathing: switching to parasympathetic nervous system will give you a better chance of recovery
🤍 Get proper sleep: follow a sleep schedule (see my post further down for tips)
There is no pill, herb, or supplement that can substitute proper rest. Allow yourself to soften gracefully to what your body is asking for. Slow down, take your time — there is no rush. If you don’t take your time now, your body will force you to take the time later.