Without night, there is no day.

A conscious individual is happy and grateful. By maintaining balance, we can have control over our own lives while preserving freedom.

If someone feels the need to light a cigarette during moments of stress, they are enslaved to addiction, even if they consider themselves free and mature. Freedom from addiction means having a choice in how to react to stress and what to do about it. It provides an opportunity to see the bigger picture, enabling one to decide that a similar situation will not disrupt their equilibrium in the future.

Must we fall ill to be healthy? Why is it said that “without illness, there is no health”? It requires genuine knowledge and willingness to preserve our well-being. I don’t need to put my hand in the fire to know that I don’t want to get burned. I don’t need to be sick to understand how much I desire good health. We experience various discomforts or seek to avoid them. In either case, we can always return to the path of health. How can we benefit from what we experience? Let’s recognize the aspects for which we can be grateful. I am grateful for pain. Is that ironic? Not at all. With humility and acceptance, I embrace every dysfunction of my body and mind. It’s remarkable that my body provides me with all this information to sustain life. I have the chance to correct mistakes—I can slow down, rest, drink less coffee, eat more vegetables, go for a walk… I can do anything to feel better! I just need to pause and listen to what my body is telling me.

Illness

Illness doesn't come suddenly

although it may seem like it descends upon us as a punishment, like a bolt from the blue. It first “knocks gently on the door” in the form of fatigue, calf cramps, facial breakouts, PMS, migraines, lack of motivation, or the inability to make decisions. When we ignore these signals and drown them in alcohol, coffee, or indulge in sugary treats, fast food, and reckless supplementation, the “assault team breaks down the door”—hypertension, diabetes, depression, heart attack, stroke—unfortunately, there are many possibilities.

Our illnesses go through several stages of development.

General fatigue is the first symptom and the onset of an illness. It is usually accompanied by muscle tension and stiffness, increased sweating and urination, as well as sensations of cold or heat. Mentally, we experience a loss of mental clarity, and our reactions become inadequate to the situation. Recovering from this state typically takes a few hours or days and can be achieved through rest, sleep, good nutrition, and taking a walk (during the weekend, plan for relaxation rather than cleaning).

Pain – when fatigue persists, we start to feel muscle aches, headaches, and cramps. Shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, fever, chills, and difficulty in movement may also occur. Occasionally, apathy, melancholy, various anxieties, and a loss of sense of security may manifest. Recovery from this level of illness can take from several days to several weeks (during vacation, plan for active relaxation and healthy rejuvenation rather than renovation).

Of course, cleaning and renovation are important, but let’s prioritize and plan strategically. Without a shadow of a doubt, health is the priority.

if we continue an imbalanced way

Blood disorders – if we continue an imbalanced way of life and nutrition, the quality of our blood eventually changes. Due to negligence and lack of vigilance, our blood, which determines the quality of our cells and body tissues, the condition of our organs, creates abnormal conditions in the body, such as acidification, high or low blood pressure, anemia, leukemia, and also leads to asthma, epilepsy, and skin diseases. The mind signals this state with nervousness, hypersensitivity, depression, anxiety, and a loss of overall direction in life. Extracting oneself from this state can take anywhere from 10 days to 3-4 months.

Emotional imbalance – Prolonged improper blood quality leads to emotional abnormalities such as explosiveness, excitability, anger, frustration, and despair. Fear of new situations arises. Physically, we become rigid, losing flexibility in both body and mind. Overcoming this state can take anywhere from one to several months.

Organ diseases – In the next stage, the illness affects our organs and glands. Changes occur in their structure and functioning, and degenerative processes begin. This category includes arteriosclerosis, diabetes, kidney and gallstones, various types of cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Mental symptoms include stubbornness, prejudice, and general stiffness. Healing from this stage requires a decisive change in lifestyle and nutrition, as well as deep self-reflection. It can take several months, a year, or more.

Nervous system disorders – From the previous level, the disease progresses to the degeneration of the nervous system. Paralysis, schizophrenia, and paranoia may manifest, among others. Negativism, suicidal tendencies, and destructive behavior dominate one’s life. It takes several months to several years to fully recover, primarily through a complete change in life and nutrition, accompanied by care and love from family and friends.

Arrogance – The improper way of life practiced for many years ultimately leads to the highest level of illness – arrogance. Arrogance is the most prevalent disease affecting people today. Its symptoms include selfishness, egocentrism, vanity, self-satisfaction, a tendency towards comfort, and self-justification. Healing from arrogance requires many years of practicing a natural way of life, appreciating and expressing gratitude (1).

This dark scenario can be changed. How can it be done? Consciously and patiently, by changing our approach to life and health. Traditional Chinese Medicine can be helpful in this process, and its pillars will be discussed in the next article: