11 warning signs you are unhealthy (that you shouldn't ignore)!
[sc name="Affiliate Disclosure"]
If I asked you right now how you thought your health ranked, what would you say? In fact, have you actually given it much thought lately? Let me outline 11 warning signs you are unhealthy so that you can up your game and feel like your #BestSelfEver.
If you find yourself feeling like some (or many) of these warning signs apply to you, don't worry! That's what I am here for...to help you find ways to improve your health. The important thing is to not ignore these warning signs. So just have a read and take stock of what applies to you. We can take it from there...
11 Warning Signs you are Unhealthy
1) You don't sleep through the night (on a consistent basis).
Aside from the occasional bad night of sleep or if you have very young children that need you in the middle of the night, are you having trouble sleeping through a 7-9 hour period of time at night?
The average person needs about 7-9 hours of good quality sleep to feel and function at an optimal level. When you are not getting consistent good quality sleep, you may be producing less melatonin (an important hormone and antioxidant) which can increase your risk for cancer, you may be weakening your immune system, memory can be impaired, and you can even experience weight issues due to feeling hungry even when you have already eaten.
Interrupted sleep can be caused by the following, and it is not considered "normal" to experience these symptoms on an ongoing basis:
Snoring and/or Sleep apnea
You may not even realize you are waking repeatedly at night from this! Ask your partner, they may be trying to be nice and not tell you how disturbing it is to them. And Ladies, it's not just men that snore! Snoring and sleep apnea can be red flags for other medical concerns. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek out a sleep specialist to learn more.
Nocturia (getting up to pee in the middle of the night)
We all wake up occasionally to relieve ourselves but when you are waking 2 or more times per night on most nights this is a warning sign that something isn't quite right.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)
While some cases of RLS can be caused in part by genetics, there are other reasons why you may have RLS. From mineral deficiencies to more concerning issues, this is something to look into.
Stress
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on just about every part of our body. It's a nasty sleep stealer as well. If you are waking often from stress, your body is trying to tell you something. Addressing it now can prevent you from living the vicious cycle of waking often (from stress), inability to fall back asleep, becoming even more sleep deprived (which adds to your stress), and the vicious cycle continues.
Night Sweats
If you are experiencing night sweats from peri-menopause or menopause, you don't have to suffer through this, there are methods to relieving or at least reducing this annoying sleep stealer. On the other hand, night sweats could indicate a thyroid problem so it is a good idea to bring it up with your doctor. Don't just assume it's because you are "getting older"!
Read Herbal Remedies for Hot Flashes & Night Sweats: Natural Remedies for Menopause
Sluggish Liver
Are you constantly finding yourself awake between 1-3am? This is well known in the Chinese Medicine community as the "liver time", or when your liver is most active at night cleansing your body and flushing out the bad stuff. Perhaps a gentle liver detox and some lifestyle changes could improve your sleep. Doing nothing could just add to your liver's already overloaded task list and make things even worse over time.
2) You don't poop at least every other day.
Officially, 3 times per day to at least 3 times per week is considered "normal" bowel movement frequency by most standards. However, if you are not pooping every day and you are experiencing some of the following symptoms, then it's time to take a closer look. Literally (at your poop!)
Signs your bowel movements/digestion are unhealthy:
discomfort
gas
belching
constipation (not having a bowel movement for 72 hours or more)
diarrhea or very loose unformed stools
heartburn
undigested foods in stool
pain or straining with a bowel movement
mucus or blood in the stool
After having worked with many clients, I find most people are happiest with their BMs if they are going every day, one to three times per day. Think about it, you put food in your body on average 3 times per day. Wouldn't you expect the waste from that food to have to come out about that frequency or slightly less?
If you notice your digestion then there is probably something wrong. The best place to start with improving your bowel movements and digestion is with diet and probiotics. Start by reading How To Select the Best Probiotics and What To Watch Out For to get tips on probiotics and 5 Gut Tests You Can Do at Home to figure out where the problem might be.
3) You are bloated after eating.
No one likes to look 5 months pregnant after eating a meal (unless you are 5 months pregnant!) A healthy digestive system won't make you feel like that. So if you are feeling super bloated after eating, something is up. And it's probably not your stomach acid.
Low stomach acid production can be a major contributor to frequent belching and feeling bloated after eating. It can be caused by bacterial overgrowth, stress, aging and certain medications.
There are a number of ways to address this socially awkward side effect. I do recommend taking action sooner than later because, over time, serious mineral and/or vitamin deficiencies and other issues can arise.
5 Steps to Naturally Heal Low Stomach Acid is a great article to start with.
4) You take Ibuprofen more than occasionally.
Chronic pain, headaches, and menstrual cramps are all common reasons why people take pain relievers from time to time. But I'm shocked to find that some people are taking medication for pain relief on a constant basis!
I understand more than anything how awful it is to live with chronic pain having dealt with it myself, but your body is sending you pain signals for a reason. There is something not quite right. What is it? This is what you should be asking.
Chronic headaches could be symptoms of stress, anemia, chronic disease, hormone imbalances, sinus problems or even from taking too much pain medication. Chronic pain could be a symptom of a whole host of diseases and conditions but on the other hand, it could be a symptom of something as simple as misalignment of your skeleton. A couple visits to the chiropractor or D.O. could possibly get you off your Ibuprofen dependency.
When I hear women complaining about horrible menstrual cramps, I feel sad. I feel sad because I know that there are so many ways to eliminate or at least alleviate the severity of these symptoms. Taking pain relievers each month isn't going to help, it will only mask the pain. What you need is some help addressing the root problem. You could start by reading a few articles like:
Could the Keto Diet Help Relieve Your PMS Symptoms?
Exactly What to Eat for a Happier, Less Painful Period
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) like Ibuprofen can wreak havoc on the gut when taken over long periods of time. So it's better for your gut, and the real reason you are taking the pain reliever, to try and address the root cause.
5) You get sick all the time.
Your immune system should be robust enough to fight off most invaders and infections. But if you are the person that gets every cold and flu that is going around, your body may be struggling. Frequent illness can be miserable for a couple days, but more concerning is that a weakened immune system can increase your risk of cancer.
I'm sure one little cold doesn't give you cause to pick up the phone and call your doctor but I hope that you will call if it is a lot more than just one cold. Listen to what your body is saying. If you are chronically under the weather it is not functioning optimally.
Read more about All-natural Ways to Boost Your Immune System.
6) You are tired all the time.
No, this is not normal! Having a demanding career, raising a family, dealing with life issues...these can all cause periods of time when you feel more tired. But feeling tired all the time, day in and day out is not normal.
You could be feeling this way due to chronic stress, which puts you in a constant state of fight or flight. Another underdiagnosed condition is having a low functioning thyroid. The toxic world we live in can cause your liver to be overloaded with toxins from processed food, cigarettes, alcohol, or environmental exposures).
Bottom line is that your body is signaling to you that all is not well.
7) Each year you are sizing up in clothes.
Studies have shown that weight gain over time is linked to an increased risk of unhealthy changes in the heart, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, depression and more.
If you have been rationalizing having to size up in clothing each year, it may be time to have a heart to heart with yourself. Pun intended. It may be a difficult road to make lasting changes, but you are worth it!
8) Your urine is dark yellow.
This is a telltale sign of dehydration. While I know you are likely running around after kids all day and multitasking like a boss, you really need to drink more clear fluids. Lay off the soda, caffeine, and alcohol a bit. Dehydration can actually be a big concern over time!
Hydrating fluids like water, green and herbal teas, coconut water, and green juices are the way to lighten up your urine. What you want to see is light yellow to almost clear.
Pro Tip: place a water bottle on your desk or somewhere you spend a lot of time, like on the kitchen counter, to give you a visual reminder to drink more water.
9) You have Rosacea, Eczema or other skin rashes.
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. So, if it is red, inflamed or itchy, it's yelling at you. Are you listening? What is it saying?
Eczema is usually indicative of food allergies, leaky gut, stress, or a toxic build-up in the body. Rosacea is also associated with a toxic overload and bacterial imbalances in the gut. Your skin is often where you see the first signs of imbalances inside your body. This is a great warning system on the outside because you can do something before it gets worse on the inside.
Gentle daily detoxes including detoxifying teas (ginger, turmeric, and milk thistle), spirulina, apple cider vinegar, lots of veggies, fermented foods and probiotics are often the first recommendations along with adequate hydration.
Read more about Detoxification, Hormones, and Your Skin.
10) Brain fog affects your daily functions.
Do you struggle with any of the following?
poor memory or forgetfulness
fuzzy thinking or mental confusion
lack of focus
trouble concentrating
These symptoms all fall under the umbrella of "brain fog" and it is not normal! This is not a medically recognized term but it is a commonly used term for a condition that is avoidable and treatable.
Generally, brain fog is usually correlated to one of two categories; lifestyle-related behaviors or medical conditions and/or medications.
Lifestyle-related factors that can contribute to brain fog include the foods you eat (and possibly react to), nutritional deficiencies, lack of sleep, physical inactivity, or toxins in your home. Left unaddressed, these issues can become concerning medical conditions.
Certain medications can have side effects of brain fog. You can talk to your healthcare provider about options to address this. There are also a whole host of medical conditions that list brain fog as a symptom. This is why ignoring this sign can be risky. It's best to open a dialogue with your healthcare practitioner about why you may be experiencing brain fog.
Read more about Brain Fog; Causes, Symptoms, Solutions.
11) You have increasingly said no to more and more invitations from friends and family to go out.
I will be the first to applaud you if you are saying 'No' because your life is so busy and crazy that you just need to dial it down a notch and take care of yourself with some downtime. However, there is a different scenario which is really hard to identify because it sneaks up on you slowly. At first, you may just turn down one or two invitations with friends or family. But soon you find yourself sitting at home alone every night and feeling very lonely.
It's important to reach out to others if you are feeling alone and sad. Mental health awareness is rising, which is great, but it's still a very gray area. Check in with someone you love. If you are wondering if you are showing this warning sign, just ask them. Chances are that those who love you will be able to give you a fairly heartfelt response that they may have already been wondering how to bring up with you.
Yoga has helped me immensely when I've felt depressed or down in the dumps. I use the online yoga classes (like below) almost every day because I find it really helps center me and keep me well balanced when life gets tough. If you click on the link below I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Start your free trial by clicking on the link below!
Will you ignore these signs you are unhealthy?
Denial is bliss...until it isn't. Your body is an amazing vessel that can speak to you with signals and warning signs. Pay attention to what it is saying and take action. You don't have to be living with discomfort, pain, exhaustion or any other debilitating symptoms. You can feel better.
Please let me know in the comments if you have any questions or concerns about any of the 11 warning signs. Let's get you feeling like your BEST.SELF.EVER!
Warmly,
[toggle title="Articles Referenced:"]Henry Ford Health System. “Don’t ignore the snore: Snoring may be early sign of future health risks.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 January 2013. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130124122741.htm Treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), The John Hopkins Center for Restless Leg Syndrome. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/neurology_neurosurgery/centers_clinics/restless-legs-syndrome/what-is-rls/treatment.html[/toggle]
