Dr. Anjali here, founder of Backend Balance, a non-cracking, non-pro chiropractor and functional nutrition specialist. I help families and workplaces thrive by focusing on movement, nutrition, and lifestyle wellness—especially during the five trimesters of pregnancy.

Let’s talk today about a common misconception: does optimal health mean never getting sick?

Getting Sick Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

As a mom of two, I know firsthand how frustrating it can be when someone in the family falls ill. It might seem like the goal of being healthy is to never catch anything. But in truth, occasional sickness is often a normal and even necessary part of a healthy, balanced immune system.

Ever notice how people often crash right after finals or a big work deadline? That’s not just coincidence—it's your body finally taking time to reset after prolonged stress.

The Real Definition of Optimal Health

Many of my patients assume being in “optimal health” means being completely symptom-free. But what it actually means is maintaining resilience. It's the ability to bounce back quickly when stress or sickness strikes.

A body that never gets sick might not be operating at optimal levels—it could be in chronic stress mode. In this state (also known as fight, flight, or freeze), your body suppresses non-essential functions like digestion, reproduction, and immune response.

Stress and the Sympathetic Nervous System

Chronic stress puts our body in survival mode. This is great when you're running from danger, but terrible if it’s your default setting. Prolonged sympathetic stress can lead to:

• Shallow breathing

• Brain fog

• Poor digestion

• Hormonal imbalances

This is not a sign of resilience—it’s a sign your body isn’t able to restore itself properly.

Balancing Back into Health

Our goal at Backend Balance is to help your nervous system regulate. That means helping you transition smoothly between stress (sympathetic) and recovery (parasympathetic) modes. It’s about being able to rise to a challenge and return to a calm, healing state.

When your immune system does encounter something like a virus, a well-regulated body will recognize it, respond to it, and recover from it efficiently.

Sickness as a Reset, Not a Failure

Think of occasional sickness as a mini-reset for your body—an opportunity to slow down, rest, and build immune strength. The problem isn't getting sick; it’s not recovering.

That’s why learning to balance your nervous system is so crucial to long-term wellness.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

If this message resonates with you, check out our courses on nervous system regulation and holistic family health. We’d love to support your journey.

Until next time, live well and stay balanced.