How to Recover Well from Illness
When you get sick, your body is placed under intensive pressure. The immune system goes into overdrive, energy levels drop, and an internal fight takes place to rid the body of whatever illness it is you have picked up.
Typically, most people recover from an illness within a couple of weeks. However, as the recent coronavirus pandemic has shown, the effects of a serious illness can last for months, and potentially even years.
If you want to recover well from illness, below we reveal some of the best things you can do.
Keep yourself hydrated
When you are sick, keeping the body hydrated can help to speed up your recovery. Drinking plenty of water will help to flush out toxins, improve the flow of oxygen around the body, and strengthen your immune system.
Diarrhoea and fever are two common symptoms of viruses, causing you to lose fluid from the body. If you have these symptoms, it is especially important to increase your fluid intake. Try to drink water that is at room temperature, rather than cold, and take regular sips throughout the day. You can also drink electrolyte-enhanced beverages as these help to replenish calcium, potassium, and sodium.
Don’t rush your recovery
One of the most important things you can do for your body when you are recovering from illness, is to rest. Although it can be tedious waiting for an illness to pass, if you try to rush back into activity, you could even risk delaying your recovery.
Listen to your body, and only resume exercise and other daily activities once you feel well enough. You should ideally start with gentle exercise such as yoga or a short stroll in the sunshine so that you also get a boost of Vitamin D. You can also practice meditation to help relax the mind and body, aiding in recovery.
Introduce supplements into your diet
The majority of nutrients that you intake should come from food. However, when you are ill you can boost your rate of recovery by introducing certain supplements into your diet. The best ones to take include Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin D, and Zinc.
However, before taking any supplements, it is best to book a consultation with your GP. At The Mayfair GP, we can offer nutritional and lifestyle medicine advice and can support you in your recovery.
Eat a nourishing diet
When you are ill, you don’t always have a healthy appetite. However, consuming a nutrient-rich diet can aid in your recovery. After you have been ill, the body typically needs more calories in order to function normally. Focus on foods that are easy for the body to digest such as fresh fruit and vegetables, cereals, oily fish, and eggs.
These are some of the best ways to recover well from illness. If you are concerned that your recovery is taking longer than it should, book an appointment with The Mayfair GP. We can carry out diagnostic tests and determine if there might be an underlying issue. We can also help with advice on lifestyle changes and treatment options that may help to speed up your recovery.
