In 2014, Health Coach, Blogger, and Cookbook Author Erika Schlick was diagnosed with Lyme disease and other autoimmune conditions, including Hashimoto's, Celiac disease, Psoriasis, and Alopecia. She did not want to follow the conventional route of never-ending medical consults and antibiotics. Instead, she changed her lifestyle and her diet to get her disease under control. Seven years later, Schlick can proudly say she is in remission.
One of her goals in life is to bring awareness to Lyme disease and other autoimmune diagnoses. As a Health Coach, she works with different individuals who find themselves in the same or similar situation. As an avid Blogger, she turns to The Trail to Health to share her experience, knowledge, and advice.
Back in March 2020, Schlick took it upon herself to speak up about people with immunocompromised systems. As someone who has dealt with that in the past and continues to stay healthy, she shared her daily hacks with her readers. Here we take a look at the top 10 tips this Cookbook Author gave her audience.
1.Turn Off the TV and Stay Off Social Media
We are constantly receiving information about what is going on worldwide, which can become too overwhelming. One of the best tips Erika Schlick can give you is turning off the TV and staying away from social media at least for a few hours throughout the day. She said, "if you ever listen to TV or news programs, the tone that they disseminate information to you is underlined by intensity and fear. Staying up-to-date on relevant information is important, but you don't need to inundate your daily life with fear and panic from the news." Instead, she recommends you take control of what you watch and read.
Self-care is a term we have heard a lot in the last few years. It is a practice we must all incorporate into our lives as it will leave us feeling better. The great thing is that it can implicate any activity you enjoy: from working out to hanging out with friends or binge-watching a show on Netflix. Schlick shared, "I now think of my body as an energy bank account. There are things that fill me up and give me energy, and there are things that drain and exhaust me. It's all about doing as much as you can to keep that account full and thriving."
Erika Schlick's diet changed completely when she was diagnosed with Lyme disease, and it was this change which allowed her to get better and stronger. What does she recommend? "I stick to a mostly Paleo diet and avoid grains and sugar as they seem to weaken me the most. I do incorporate some rice and healthy carbs in my diet and for the most part, stick to organic, non-GMO ingredients."
4.Utilize Healing Plants, Herbs, and Homeopathics
There are many different methods in which you can stay healthy. Schlick is all about natural and organic alternatives that will leave you feeling good without having to take any antibiotics: "Healing herbs and plants can be a great accessory to staying healthy." Her recommendations are elderberry, ginger, turmeric, olive leaf extract, ashwagandha, and mushrooms for your immune system and supporting your adrenals.
For as long as we can remember, healthcare experts have always advised us to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. Although it might not be easy, finding a workout you enjoy can change your entire perspective. For Schlick, who was able to gain energy back after her diagnosis, "it's all about listening to your body and pushing yourself when you can, and taking it easy when you need to. Above all, please move your body every day if you can, even if it's a short workout video at home."
Getting a good night's sleep is an essential step in becoming healthier and taking care of your immunocompromised system. Experts have always told us to sleep eight hours, but it might be challenging to reach these many hours for some. In Schlick's case, "I use an Oura Ring to track my sleep health, and it helps me know when to slow down and when I can push myself."
As the COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives, it made us realize some individuals were not keeping up with their hygiene. In order to stay healthy and take care of your body, you must prioritize your hygiene. Schlick's advice is not to become too paranoid and rub toxic hand sanitizer all over yourself. Instead, "stay smart, wash your hands, and live your life, and for the love of mankind, you only need one pack of toilet paper at a time."
It is crucial to find the one place that will make you happy, help you recharge your energy, and stay calm. Erika Schlick calls this the happy place "that makes us happy, calm, content, and relaxed." This place can be anywhere in the world, and its main goal should be to help you rest, unplug from the daily grind, and feel at your best.
9.Get Sunshine as Often as Possible
Our bodies need Vitamin D in order to stay healthy and function properly. Schlick is one of those individuals who thrives when she is in the sun and often jokes calling herself solar-powered. The truth is sunlight is hugely beneficial to us. She explains, "Do you notice how you barely get sick in the summer when you get sunshine and your days are longer? The sun is our lifeline."
10.Get Labs Done Every Three to Four Months
If you have an immunocompromised system, it is vital to stay on top of your medical check-ups. From her own experience, Schlick recommends getting labs done every three to four months. She says this is because "In the event anything is off with my levels, catching it early suits me up to proactively address it before symptoms arise."
As a Health Coach, Erika Schlick is a great resource when it comes to staying healthy and taking care of your immunocompromised system. However, Schlick's words of advice come from her personal experience dealing with Lyme disease and other autoimmune illnesses. These 10 tips can help you stay on top of your health and become stronger.
