How Often Do Illinoisans Actually Feel Healthy? The Answer Might Surprise You

If winter had a personality, it would be that friend who constantly says, "are you getting sick?" and then immediately makes you feel a little off.  And according to a new survey, that feeling isn't just in our heads.  It's a "seasonal" lifestyle.

I guess 6 in 10 Americans get sick every winter, but even when we're not "officially" sick, the average person still feels like blah about five days during the season.  Not like a full-blown flu, but the kind of days where you feel sluggish, weak, or your stomach is in knots.  You know... lots of bathroom trips.

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But, you're still going to work.

You're still answering calls.

You're still running errands.

But you feel like you're on your last leg.

How Often Do Illinoisans Actually Feel Healthy? The Answer Might Surprise You

The most shocking stat I saw was that we feel perfectly "healthy" for only 16 days a month.  Half the month.  The means the other half we're just out here pushing through, pretending like everything is fine, including our well-being.

Winter takes the crown for the most "unwell" days, but most people would rather deal with feeling blah now than sacrificing a beautiful summer day.  And as someone who lives in Illinois and the Midwest, I get it.  I'll honestly take cozy, low-energy January over wasting a perfect June patio any day.

The good news: Most people know it's not just about the germs.  85% of people from the survey say it's about daily habits, what we're eating, and how much sleep we're getting.  When you have all of that in check, it works.  It really does.  People feel stronger and more ready to take on the day.

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Winter doesn't have to be about "surviving."  It can be about listening to your body, lowering expectations, and realizing that feeling off sometimes doesn't mean you're done for... it means you're human.  It happens to all of us!