First a DISCLAIMER. These ideas come either from doctors I know or research. Regardless, I’ve explored all of the suggestions as a result of questions that come from my clients…. And found, for many, many people, they work. And some of them may already be familiar to you.
Low Energy. Check your vitamin D levels. Supplements are generally the way to go, and with a simple blood test your physician can determine any deficiency.
Puffiness/bloating/swelling after meals. This CAN be caused by wheat and other grains. As an experiment, eliminate all grains from your diet for about 10 to 21 days and see what happens. And if that does not change symptoms, see your doctor.
Mucus build up in throat/or reflux. Another experiment. Stop using dairy for about 10-21 days and see if it helps. For some, dairy causes a mucus membrane overload.
Bladder Control. If you’re wistfully watching all the commercials for medication to manage frequent trips to the bathroom, try this instead. Eliminate caffeine — or simply switch to tea (even the fully leaded kind) — for a few days, to see if it makes a difference. For SOME people it does. I got this suggestion in a seminar with Dr. Andrew Weil.
Sleep Problems. Two suggestions here. First, google Sleepio. This is a website I found recently. You can take an assessment of your sleep patterns on line, get some suggestions for interventions, and then decide if you want to “sign up” for additional information.
Now my suggestion…an exercise called a body scan. When you are ready for bed, get comfortable, (make sure you are warm enough or cool enough), lights out and begin the following:
Starting with your toes, ankles, feet, silently say: “My toes, feet and ankles are warm, comfortable, and relaxing.” Take relaxing breaths and work your way through your body all the way to your head. You might be asleep before you finish the entire body scan. If not, try again. When you find an area of your body that is either tight, uncomfortable, or just hurts, breathe some air into that part of your body. Silently say, “I am healing my knee/or back/or ___”
If you would like audio instructions, google Jon Kabat-Zinn to find dozens of CDs/recordings. And you’ll find body scan meditations.
And I have other relaxation exercises in my book: YOUR PERSONAL STRESS ANALYSIS.
Self care is essential. So when you listen carefully to your body, if some symptom is persistent and you are even mildly wondering if it’s a reason for concern, please check in with your health care practitioner.