Fighting pain with pain: why it works

Sometimes you have periods when everything goes wrong. I’m in the middle of it. First the flu, then an infection and even a hospital visit. Now my back is hurting again and I can already feel the next cold coming. Great… 🙄

But today I learned something important during an I’m the boss day by Frans van Leeuwen and Rick van den Tempel. Rick, an expert in neurotransmitters and the connection between body and mind, explained how everything in your body is connected. And I felt that immediately.

I doubted whether I would participate in sports, but as soon as I heard his story, I knew: Now is the time to participate.

Why taking a rest is not always the solution
Most people say: If you are sick or tired, you should rest. Sounds logical, right? But I totally disagree.

👉 I’m not sick because I’m busy.
👉 I’m sick because I’m stressed.

And you don’t solve stress by sitting on the couch. You solve stress by doing the right things. By moving, tackling the cause and balancing your energy givers and energy drainers.

What does work?

1. Keep moving 🏋🏻
   Don’t push yourself too hard, but don’t get into that downward spiral either. Even light exercise helps to release stress and tension.
2. Make conscious food choices 🥦
   What you eat directly affects your energy level and mental resilience. No comfort food, but food that really supports you.
3. Manage your mindset 🧠
   Negative thoughts increase stress. By looking at pain and discomfort differently, you can deal with it better.

For me this means:
✔️ Not giving in to the urge to disappear under a blanket.
✔️ Focus on things that give me energy instead of costing me.

✔️ Actively working on mental and physical resilience.

What do you do when you’re not feeling well? Do you go into rest mode or do you keep going? 🚀