AUTHOR:
AERYN O'HALLORAN
DATE:
OCTOBER 1st, 2024
READ TIME:
4-5 MINUTES
How to Heal Naturally: #1 Strategy For Chronic Illness Recovery
How to Heal Naturally: #1 Strategy For Chronic Illness Recovery
THE BACKSTORY
Here’s me, in my late 20s, an aspiring competitive boxer, parent, and career woman with the world at her feet, when suddenly….
I am ~95% recovered from multiple chronic illnesses. Here’s how it happened.
Photo taken by JMona Combat Sports Photography
My body just stopped working?? (When I said I wanted to fight, a fight for my life was not what I meant).
It was terrifying. One day I was a high performing athlete, the next I was bed-bound and, possibly the scariest part: no medical professional had answers as to why and some even thought I was making it all up. I had a mile long list of symptoms that got more bizarre and severe each day, to the point that I never thought I’d be able to have a normal life again. I was wildly depressed, more anxious than ever (which is saying a lot), and I felt like a zombie—not dead but definitely not living either. Eventually, I was diagnosed with a slew of conditions—POTS, Reynaud's Phenomenon, Long COVID, stress-induced IBS, chronic hives, histamine intolerance, and likely Mast Cell Activation Syndrome—plus pre-existing General Anxiety Disorder and Complex PTSD.
But let's shift gears and talk about what helped me get better.
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
MOVEMENT
TIME IN NATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Aim for at least 2 liters of fluids per day
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
MOVEMENT
TIME IN NATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Fuel your recovery
Nourish your body with whole foods as often as possible. Think leafy greens, lean proteins, and healthy fats as these provide the building blocks your body needs to produce energy for recovery. For meals ideas + tips, grab my 10 Energy Boosting Recipes (I also have a Low-Histamine version).
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
TIME IN NATURE
MOVEMENT
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Build Good Sleep Habits
Sleep is where the magic happens. It’s when your body goes into repair mode. Prioritize 8-9 hours of sleep every night by sticking to a consistent bedtime and creating an optimal sleep environment.
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
MOVEMENT
TIME IN NATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Move Your Body with Intention
Even if that “movement” is simply wiggling your toes or pumping your feet up and down while you’re bed-bound—do it. any form of movement that doesn't worsen symptoms can aid in recovery.
If you're able, consider more traditional exercises. Emily Harman has $10 workout plans with video instructions, and they’re easy to modify based on your current capabilities.
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
MOVEMENT
TIME IN NATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Go touch grass
Literally. Aim to spend 15 minutes outside in the morning and 15 minutes outside in the evening... or just do your best. Time in nature, sun exposure, and grounding (standing barefoot on the earth) can have a massive impact on your recovery.
Natural sunlight boosts vitamin D levels, which are vital for immune function and mood regulation. Grounding has been shown to reduce inflammation, lower stress, and improve sleep by balancing your body’s electrical charge with the earth. Plus, it's 100% free.
HYDRATION
NUTRITION
SLEEP HYGIENE
MOVEMENT
TIME IN NATURE
NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Tend to Your Nervous System
This is crucial for recovery and supporting overall health, as the nervous system coordinates the function of all your other bodily systems. If you're not sure where to start, grab my FREE ebook: Healing the Nervous System Part 1.
They should be non-negotiable and this is why: you can’t out-medicate or out-supplement a body that’s chronically under-hydrated, undernourished, or sleep-deprived. These core practices are what create the environment your body needs to heal. Not only do they set a strong foundation for your health but also make any treatment, protocol, or medication you pursue a million times more effective.
THESE SHOULDN'T BE CONSIDERED OPTIONAL
These fundamentals not only set a strong foundation for your health but also make any treatment, protocol, or medication you pursue a million times more effective.
The Power of Simplicity:
Before you roll your eyes and write this off as too simple to work, let me remind you—it’s not about complexity; it’s about consistency. In a world full of complicated health advice and "shiny object syndrome", people often overlook the habits that matter most.
As Michael Jordan, one of the greatest athletes in history, once said, “Get the fundamentals down, and the level of everything you do will rise.” Sure, he was talking about sports, but it applies here too. When you skip the fundamentals, you’re skipping the foundation that everything else relies on.
The free and low-cost resources I mentioned can make a serious impact if you stick with them but if you want a more in-depth, done-for-you approach approach to your recovery: my Foundations Program is the ticket.
This program simplifies the process and covers everything you need: understanding your body, mastering the basics of nutrition, managing food reactions, and preparing your nervous system for deep healing. Plus, you’ll join a community of people who truly get what you’re going through and are focused on solutions, just like you.
NEED A LITTLE EXTRA GUIDANCE? I CAN HELP!
CLICK HERE TO JOIN →
Reflect & reconnect: healing dysfunction
regulate & rewire: sensory modulation
macronutrient
master list
10 energy boosting recipes
10 energy boosting recipes
top 5 daily wholistic practices
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Low Histamine Version
" The fact that I saw change so quickly proves that the right help, the right first step, the right process makes all the difference..."
— KELLY M
— BRI L
— JAMIE R
— DANA D
— RUTH C
" I was able to accomplish all my errands and when I got home at the end of the day, I didn’t crash. That’s the first time that’s happened in years! "
"I have ups and downs in my life in general, but I am stronger now."
"I finally feel I understand exactly what I need to do to start healing my dysregulated nervous system"
"I'm back to my normal self but even better than before!"