If you find that yourself in the unenviable situation of having chronic poor health, then I suggest you consider the following.
I know it's frustrating and there will be a level of desperation to get better, but the road to recovery is usually long, so you need to apply patience and kindness to yourself. Free yourself of the notion that there is a silver bullet or a course of tablets, or another person that can fix you. To get well, you need not only to take personal charge of your health, you also need to make it the primary focus of your life. Any less and you are unlikely to succeed. It will also help to expand your view of the challenge and realise that a fix is required not only for body, but mind and soul/spirit as well. The body is the most tangible part to work with, the mind is mysterious and not well understood with respect to health and the soul/spirit is often scorned as new age nonsense. From experience it seems that all facets require attention for a full recovery.
Given the extent of the problem and the duration to full recovery, I suggest tackling many aspects simultaneously. I will list things to consider roughly in order of importance, but they are all relative to your specific situation and your ability/ willingness.
1. Environment
Start by assessing your environment. The internet is full of suggestions to avoid toxins, pollution, chemicals and I agree, but you will find less references to mould which I personally believe can be a bigger issue. The biggest environmental challenge however isn't spoken about much and it might be difficult for you to believe. The biggest environmental toxin has been with us our entire lives and is increasing at an exponential rate. In addition, we are being told there is little to fear, a bit like the early days of the tobacco industry. If you dig into the fine print however you will find some very interesting wording that warns you to be cautious and tells you clearly that they cannot be held accountable for any health issues caused by their products. Being an Engineer and being in awe of technology, it took me a very long time to accept that the biggest environmental toxin and largest cause of ill health is hiding in plain site. The issue to give maximum focus and attention is to minimise your exposure to Non-Native Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). It goes by many names and acronym such as EMF's, radio frequencies (RF), microwaves, cell towers, smart meters, radar, magnetic fields, electric fields, electric harmonics or dirty electricity, electro smog to name a few. (Native or natural EMR, which is the sun on the other hand has many health enhancing benefits). The official view from mobile phone/internet and government guidelines is that because non-native EMR is not ionising like say an x-ray (which damages your DNA), it is ok. Nothing could be further from the truth. Non-native EMR disrupts your body in so many ways and causes extensive oxidative stress. Like cigarette smoking causes oxidative stress, excessive oxidative stress leads to bad health, cancer and eventually death. People say, she died from old age, but to be technically correct, she died from oxidative stress. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies slowly become less able to repair the damages of oxidative stress (redox).
2. Diet and Nutrition
This is the usual advice you will find on the internet and while it is critical to good health, it is subordinate to your environment. If your environment is toxic, there are not enough antioxidants or nutrients to make you well. Please don't misconstrue what I am saying. You should pursue diet and nutrition with all your might, but don't do it at the exclusion of making suitable changes to your environment. Diets can vary, but everyone should try eat organic whole foods and stay away from GMO and processed food. I.e. don't eat anything from a packet, box, tin, etc. It will vary from person to person, but most will likely do better on a lower carbohydrate diet. Vegetables being the bulk of what you eat, a small amount of animal protein (unless you are Vegan), a little healthy fat and a touch of herbs, nuts, seeds, and coarse sea salt (without additive)
3. Sleep
Your body repairs and restores itself at night. Therefore, there is nothing more important than a good night sleep. Consistently get to bed by 10pm and sleep at least 6 to 8 hrs. Aim for 8, but more than 9 is also suboptimal. There are many tools and techniques on the internet to improve sleep quality. Melatonin, the sleep hormone does so much more than just make you sleep. Excess light, especially artificial light (LED, fluorescent, energy saving bulbs) before bed will reduce this critical hormone. You also need to ensure that your sleeping environment is very dark. I.e. no lights from alarm panels, smoke detectors, electronic devices, etc. Also keep all electric devices like mobile phones, lamps, clocks, etc. far away from your bed. (That means, not in the same room as you sleep in. The body detects invisible emf's the same as blue light).
4. Mind
The brain or mind is such a wonderful power and complex entity that we have only scratched the surface in our ability to understand. One thing you can be sure of is that it controls your hormones, brain chemicals and many involuntary processes, and plays an enormous role in your health and how you feel. Childhood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) or regular PTSD, can not only impact your mental health, but your physical health as well. There are so many aspects to what effects the mind and then the body, so don't neglect this important avenue on your quest for healing.
5. Exercise
Exercise is critical to life, so at the very least take a slow walk each day even if it's the last thing you feel like doing. Walking sends a signal to the body that there is still life. Exercise has so many positive effects for both physical and mental health. Slowly over time try build up the amount of exercise you do. Even something as simple as using some water bottles to get the shoulders and arm muscles working. The huge benefit to exercise is when you can get enough capacity to exert yourself for short periods of time. A good example is sprinting until you can't anymore. Then rest for a few minutes and then repeat four or five times. Remember this will take time. Walking first, later walking with a minute of jogging, and finally the sprints. Intense exercise up regulates the body’s production of NAD, which the body needs to repair DNA damage. (I can't recommend this more highly). Sprinting is not the only way, but the short bursts or intensity are key to getting the desired effect.
6. Liver health
A huge contributor to chronic poor health is when your liver loses some of its capacity to detox the body. The liver is the primary detox organ, but the body also uses the kidneys, skin and lungs to a smaller extent. The liver eliminates toxins in your bile, via the gale bladder and into your stools. Hence having regular (at least daily) bowel movements that are brown in colour is essential to your well being. This is a huge topic, but a few tips. If you have loose stools it's likely a food that you’re are eating needs to be eliminated. If your stools tend to constipation, your diet is low on potassium rich foods and or fibre. If your stools are not brown, there isn't enough bile and specific foods and herbs that promote gale bladder function need to be taken.
7. Heat and Cold
When your body gets very hot, it releases heat shock proteins which have a range of therapeutic effects. Exercise is probably the best way to have a good sweat, but a sauna is a good proxy. Be cautious of near infrared saunas as they have high levels of emf's. Try a traditional sauna or a near infrared sauna (red lights), that has been certified as low emf. Near infrared saunas will make you sweat and have the added benefits that red light and infrared bring to the body. Lowering inflammation to mention only one.
Short term exposure to cold, like a cold shower or jumping in a cold pool can be very beneficial to your mitochondria which regulate your energy production and contribute to overall health. Cold exposure does a whole lot more than increase your energy, but increased energy will indicate it's working. Caution is required if you are very chronic as this could make things worse for you. Start experimenting with turning the shower cold for a few seconds after washing, and gradually build up the time with each shower. The experience should energise you, but if it makes you tired, then stop and maybe try again in a few weeks.
8. Sunshine
This really should fall under environment. Your body requires UV and infrared light to function optimally. There is not really an upper limit to how much infrared you can expose your elf to. (providing you are not getting dehydrated). UV does have a limit and you should ensure that you do not get sunburnt. Get UVA in the early morning or late afternoon (doesn't cause tanning or burning), and some UVB closer to midday. UVB causes tanning as well as makes vitamin D for the body. You need to check the UV available in your area (weather bureau usually), to make sure UV is available. If you live far from the equator, especially in winter there may be no UVB in the sunlight you are getting. It may be stating the obvious, but sunbathing/exposure must be done without sunscreen or else you will not get the UV. If you have received your required dose of UVB for the day, cover up your skin and don't use sunscreen which are toxic to the body and disrupts your hormones.
9. Stress in excess
It really makes no sense to put these topics in a hierarchy as stress is by no means the least important topic to consider. Stress is very tricky as so many things cause us stress, but because we have lived with them for so long, we no longer recognised them. Physical, psychological and emotional factors can all cause stress. Chronic stress will destroy your health so look at all aspects for options to reduce stress. Bad relationships can be a huge source of undesirable stress. So even something as unassuming as counselling can improve your health.
I know it's frustrating and there will be a level of desperation to get better, but the road to recovery is usually long, so you need to apply patience and kindness to yourself. Free yourself of the notion that there is a silver bullet or a course of tablets, or another person that can fix you. To get well, you need not only to take personal charge of your health, you also need to make it the primary focus of your life. Any less and you are unlikely to succeed. It will also help to expand your view of the challenge and realise that a fix is required not only for body, but mind and soul/spirit as well. The body is the most tangible part to work with, the mind is mysterious and not well understood with respect to health and the soul/spirit is often scorned as new age nonsense. From experience it seems that all facets require attention for a full recovery.
Given the extent of the problem and the duration to full recovery, I suggest tackling many aspects simultaneously. I will list things to consider roughly in order of importance, but they are all relative to your specific situation and your ability/ willingness.
1. Environment
Start by assessing your environment. The internet is full of suggestions to avoid toxins, pollution, chemicals and I agree, but you will find less references to mould which I personally believe can be a bigger issue. The biggest environmental challenge however isn't spoken about much and it might be difficult for you to believe. The biggest environmental toxin has been with us our entire lives and is increasing at an exponential rate. In addition, we are being told there is little to fear, a bit like the early days of the tobacco industry. If you dig into the fine print however you will find some very interesting wording that warns you to be cautious and tells you clearly that they cannot be held accountable for any health issues caused by their products. Being an Engineer and being in awe of technology, it took me a very long time to accept that the biggest environmental toxin and largest cause of ill health is hiding in plain site. The issue to give maximum focus and attention is to minimise your exposure to Non-Native Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR). It goes by many names and acronym such as EMF's, radio frequencies (RF), microwaves, cell towers, smart meters, radar, magnetic fields, electric fields, electric harmonics or dirty electricity, electro smog to name a few. (Native or natural EMR, which is the sun on the other hand has many health enhancing benefits). The official view from mobile phone/internet and government guidelines is that because non-native EMR is not ionising like say an x-ray (which damages your DNA), it is ok. Nothing could be further from the truth. Non-native EMR disrupts your body in so many ways and causes extensive oxidative stress. Like cigarette smoking causes oxidative stress, excessive oxidative stress leads to bad health, cancer and eventually death. People say, she died from old age, but to be technically correct, she died from oxidative stress. Unfortunately, as we age our bodies slowly become less able to repair the damages of oxidative stress (redox).
2. Diet and Nutrition
This is the usual advice you will find on the internet and while it is critical to good health, it is subordinate to your environment. If your environment is toxic, there are not enough antioxidants or nutrients to make you well. Please don't misconstrue what I am saying. You should pursue diet and nutrition with all your might, but don't do it at the exclusion of making suitable changes to your environment. Diets can vary, but everyone should try eat organic whole foods and stay away from GMO and processed food. I.e. don't eat anything from a packet, box, tin, etc. It will vary from person to person, but most will likely do better on a lower carbohydrate diet. Vegetables being the bulk of what you eat, a small amount of animal protein (unless you are Vegan), a little healthy fat and a touch of herbs, nuts, seeds, and coarse sea salt (without additive)
3. Sleep
Your body repairs and restores itself at night. Therefore, there is nothing more important than a good night sleep. Consistently get to bed by 10pm and sleep at least 6 to 8 hrs. Aim for 8, but more than 9 is also suboptimal. There are many tools and techniques on the internet to improve sleep quality. Melatonin, the sleep hormone does so much more than just make you sleep. Excess light, especially artificial light (LED, fluorescent, energy saving bulbs) before bed will reduce this critical hormone. You also need to ensure that your sleeping environment is very dark. I.e. no lights from alarm panels, smoke detectors, electronic devices, etc. Also keep all electric devices like mobile phones, lamps, clocks, etc. far away from your bed. (That means, not in the same room as you sleep in. The body detects invisible emf's the same as blue light).
4. Mind
The brain or mind is such a wonderful power and complex entity that we have only scratched the surface in our ability to understand. One thing you can be sure of is that it controls your hormones, brain chemicals and many involuntary processes, and plays an enormous role in your health and how you feel. Childhood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) or regular PTSD, can not only impact your mental health, but your physical health as well. There are so many aspects to what effects the mind and then the body, so don't neglect this important avenue on your quest for healing.
5. Exercise
Exercise is critical to life, so at the very least take a slow walk each day even if it's the last thing you feel like doing. Walking sends a signal to the body that there is still life. Exercise has so many positive effects for both physical and mental health. Slowly over time try build up the amount of exercise you do. Even something as simple as using some water bottles to get the shoulders and arm muscles working. The huge benefit to exercise is when you can get enough capacity to exert yourself for short periods of time. A good example is sprinting until you can't anymore. Then rest for a few minutes and then repeat four or five times. Remember this will take time. Walking first, later walking with a minute of jogging, and finally the sprints. Intense exercise up regulates the body’s production of NAD, which the body needs to repair DNA damage. (I can't recommend this more highly). Sprinting is not the only way, but the short bursts or intensity are key to getting the desired effect.
6. Liver health
A huge contributor to chronic poor health is when your liver loses some of its capacity to detox the body. The liver is the primary detox organ, but the body also uses the kidneys, skin and lungs to a smaller extent. The liver eliminates toxins in your bile, via the gale bladder and into your stools. Hence having regular (at least daily) bowel movements that are brown in colour is essential to your well being. This is a huge topic, but a few tips. If you have loose stools it's likely a food that you’re are eating needs to be eliminated. If your stools tend to constipation, your diet is low on potassium rich foods and or fibre. If your stools are not brown, there isn't enough bile and specific foods and herbs that promote gale bladder function need to be taken.
7. Heat and Cold
When your body gets very hot, it releases heat shock proteins which have a range of therapeutic effects. Exercise is probably the best way to have a good sweat, but a sauna is a good proxy. Be cautious of near infrared saunas as they have high levels of emf's. Try a traditional sauna or a near infrared sauna (red lights), that has been certified as low emf. Near infrared saunas will make you sweat and have the added benefits that red light and infrared bring to the body. Lowering inflammation to mention only one.
Short term exposure to cold, like a cold shower or jumping in a cold pool can be very beneficial to your mitochondria which regulate your energy production and contribute to overall health. Cold exposure does a whole lot more than increase your energy, but increased energy will indicate it's working. Caution is required if you are very chronic as this could make things worse for you. Start experimenting with turning the shower cold for a few seconds after washing, and gradually build up the time with each shower. The experience should energise you, but if it makes you tired, then stop and maybe try again in a few weeks.
8. Sunshine
This really should fall under environment. Your body requires UV and infrared light to function optimally. There is not really an upper limit to how much infrared you can expose your elf to. (providing you are not getting dehydrated). UV does have a limit and you should ensure that you do not get sunburnt. Get UVA in the early morning or late afternoon (doesn't cause tanning or burning), and some UVB closer to midday. UVB causes tanning as well as makes vitamin D for the body. You need to check the UV available in your area (weather bureau usually), to make sure UV is available. If you live far from the equator, especially in winter there may be no UVB in the sunlight you are getting. It may be stating the obvious, but sunbathing/exposure must be done without sunscreen or else you will not get the UV. If you have received your required dose of UVB for the day, cover up your skin and don't use sunscreen which are toxic to the body and disrupts your hormones.
9. Stress in excess
It really makes no sense to put these topics in a hierarchy as stress is by no means the least important topic to consider. Stress is very tricky as so many things cause us stress, but because we have lived with them for so long, we no longer recognised them. Physical, psychological and emotional factors can all cause stress. Chronic stress will destroy your health so look at all aspects for options to reduce stress. Bad relationships can be a huge source of undesirable stress. So even something as unassuming as counselling can improve your health.