The groundwork for all happiness is good health.
- Leigh Hunt

Ever notice when you are down sick with the flu you feel worse about the shape of  your body and its physical condition? I personally think that it is normal to think  less of ourselvse when we are sick only because our body is not functioning at its  best peak. Every part of the body is affected when we are sick, even if the illness  is stricktly in one area like the throat or ears or lungs. We feel sick physically, our  body looks worse to our selves. And to some degree it does, because we have to  slow down and take care of ourselves, we may have black circles under our eyes  due to tiredness, weakness and fatigue. But we have to remember that they WILL  PASS.

There are things we can do to help ourselves with regards to our moods, emotions  etc., to prepare for even when we are down. We can eat a healthy, balanced,  nutritious diet. We can get regular routine exercise and do the strengthening and  toning we need to have strong muscles and bones. Some people who have low  immune systems, such as myself, take a multivitamin daily to keep us going. If  you are on medications, take them as prescribed by your doctor on time and as  specified. Get enough sleep so we have the get-up-and-go we need to start our  day with a positive attitude. Create a bedtime routine. Mine is doing up my email,  sitting with a glass of cold water watching a little TV, cleaning my teeth, emptying  my bladder, reading the Bible in bed, cludding with my cat in bed, deep relaxation  breathing and sometimes singing a song in my mind. Then most nights, I'm to  sleep before the routine even ends. Having a regular routine for our days is also  important. The same as you create a bedtime routine, create a morning wake-up  routine. Get out of bed, eat breakfast, shower, dress, gather things put together  the night before, grad the keys and ohter things you need, feed the kitty/dog, go  out the door. You may even want to add 15-30 minutes extra time in the morning  for a big of exercise. It does create energy.
Putting all these things into practice may not stop ourselves from still thinking  poorly about ourselves and our bodies when we get sick, but we will likely recover  faster, be more positive all around because we are doing things for our body that  our body was born to need. When our body functions well, our minds function well.  When our minds function well, our bodies follow. You may still get a cold,  bronchitis or some other form of flu, but your body will be stronger to help fight it  off easier and your mind will be trained to remember that you are working hard,  you are positive and doing all the right things. Your cup will be half full, not half  empty.
So take care of your body and it will take care of your mind; take care of your mind  and you will take care of your body. Pretty simple huh?
 
You are ALWAYS beautiful to somebody, and that somebody should be YOU  FIRST!!!!!