4 Key Focuses for Reaching and Maintaining Optimal Health
There are things that you can do to instantly to reduce your risks of illness and disease, and reach optimal health status. These things usually involve a total-body, whole health approach and can be referred to as “lifestyle changes.” They often require a shift in thinking as well as a shift in living. By correcting these problems, you will not only live longer, but live happier.
Here are 4 key focuses for reaching and maintaining optimal health status.
Stress
Whether through work, toxic relationships, or any other hardships, chronic stress can lead to short-term moodiness but also long-term health risks. While the stress causes your body to consistently release hormones designed, initially, to protect you, stress can have detrimental effects. Studies have shown chronic stress to trigger or worsen diseases like depression, cardiovascular disease, and even speed the progression of chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS. The solution: lighten up. It is imperative to learn how to destress, and you can even consume some foods to reduce stress. If you can’t de-stress with a certain person in your life, perhaps it’s time to cut them out. If your job is killing you, it’s definitely time to move on. Easier said than done, but still very possible.
Toxins
In this modern age, our bodies are bombarded with toxins—both from the outside and the inside. While we can’t control every toxin that is sent our way, we can definitely reduce or eliminate some of those that we willingly bring into our lives. Household chemicals, cosmetics, and pesticides on food all contribute to a weakening of the immune system. There are countless methods to detoxing your body and environment. Cleanse yourself and keep your environment as clean as possible.
Inflammation
We aren’t talking about visible swelling here, but certain foods can promote a cellular inflammation which can lead to disease. For everyone, these foods may differ. Some are particularly vulnerable to wheat products, for example, and many people can’t handle dairy. Pay close attention to how your body reacts to what you put in it and simply eliminate out those that leave you feeling less healthy than before you consumed them. Some believe that inflammation is one primary factor in disease manifestation, so it is extremely important to monitor diet and exercise appropriately.
Dedication
How bad do you want to feel good? Many people consciously understand the need to live a healthier and more natural lifestyle, but committing to it takes serious dedication – at least in the beginning. Only when you have made the decision to leave all of these disease-causing agents behind can you truly live a healthier life. It takes time for your body to adjust, but it also takes time for your mind to latch onto new habits. So, stick it out, stay committed, and it will become second nature in no time— do it for your health!
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