Helping Your Body to Heal

After any illness, injury, or surgery, your body requires time to mend itself. In addition to advice and medications from your physician, there are certain measures that you can take to ensure proper healing.

Our body is designed to heal itself while we sleep, so adequate amounts of rest are required. A normal, healthy adult requires 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night. During times of illness or injury, it may be necessary to rest or take naps more often. Make sure to rest when you feel tired, or fatigued due to exertion. This will serve to promote the natural healing procedures of your body. Exercising when you are sick can also lead to serious secondary injuries.

Hydration is important to virtually all bodily functions. The average adult requires 8-8 ounce glasses of water per day to maintain normal bodily functions. Illnesses that involve fever, vomiting, and diarrhea increase your chances of becoming dehydrated, so adequate hydration must be maintained. Water, herbal teas, and fruit juices are all good choices to keep you hydrated, as well as restore your body to a healthy, functional level.

Our body requires vitamins, minerals, and even calories to function, heal, and provide energy. There is a very valid reason why comfort foods like soups and stews make us feel so much better when we are sick or recovering from an injury. The effect of these vegetable and protein rich concoctions is not only emotional, they also provide a vital mix of vitamins and minerals that can help restore good health.

Stress is an enemy at times of health, but can be especially harmful to the healing process. Under normal conditions, stress has a wearing down effect on the body. When you are sick or hurt, high levels of stress can disturb your sleep and lower your resistance levels, this could possibly result in further susceptibility to illness. This is the reason that it is important to take advantage of your sick days, or sick leave privileges at work. Ask for help with child care duties and household chores.

In order to return to your former, healthy self, it is important to concentrate on the things that your body requires. Other things can wait.

Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor when recovering from any illness or injury.

www.healthnet.com
www.webmd.com