We get sick, then nurture our needs – is there an alternative?

In many ways we live in a society where disease and illness is rewarded, but self nurturing and good health is not…”Well of course,” you say…. if you are sick then you need more down time to heal, that’s logical!

There was a time in Chinese history where doctors were only paid if their patient was healthy, and when they got sick all payment stopped! Truly contemplate that for a moment, as a possibility for our future!

In neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) we learn about ‘secondary gain’ which explains how we are often subconsciously drawn to illness or something unpleasant because it has an underlying ‘secondary gain’. This is not something we are able to control or choose. Or could it be?

 

If you are sick, you need to focus inward to heal

Have you ever pushed yourself to the point of exhaustion or illness because it’s more socially acceptable to declare you are unwell, than it is to declare you are taking some much needed time out to prevent becoming ill? I certainly have, not intentionally of course but because I was unaware of my subconscious patterns, I may have allowed pain to take over.

I have a huge amount of body awareness and nutrition/naturopathic knowledge so I am blessed not to experience many illnesses, so my body creates pain to communicate with me. Sometimes it even makes me super clumsy to get my attention (think stubbed toes, elbows banging accidentally on walls/doors, tripping over etc). At one stage in my life I was afraid I’d have to live with chronic back pain forever. That’s another story.

 

Yes, YOU are worth it!

What if self-care choices could save your life?

Is there somewhere in your life that you could be unconsciously self-sabotaging your own health?

This is not about accepting any guilt or shame, but all about self inquiry into whether you could benefit from any physical, mental or emotional self love to prevent something from occuring in the future.

I want to make it clear that there are many diseases and illnesses that have no logic and are not fair! This information is about creating empowerment for your own health journey.

The new-healthy-informed-me likes to attend health retreats, eat whole foods, exercise and regularly connect with nature, and in the overall picture has seemed to generally prevent illness.

One of my favourite sayings is that ‘We spend the time. Either to nurture ourselves with self care… Or nurture ourselves during a required healing. We spend the time’

 

‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’

Maybe this is as simple as acknowledging that a walk every day may prevent arthritis, weight gain and depression? Or knowing that the difficult conversation left unsaid could physically fester within?

I have no doubt that many hospital admissions are based on the stress of loneliness in the elderly.

Prevention is the cure. I believe we can create a healthier society with education, love and self compassion, for yourself and for others.

This is one of the many reasons I promote and participate in the Virtual Women’s Village. There are many professional women leading the way to support others to nurture themselves with self-care. Why don’t you make a commitment to you and join me?

 

PS: Might you be interested in my Cairns Rainforest Retreat in Sept-Oct 2022? Please contact me if you like more information.

 

In kindness and love,

 

Niomi Reardon
Virtual Women’s Village Service Provider,
and Author. Nurse. Health Coach