Check out these 4 tips to naturally reduce inflammation
Inflammation can be highly uncomfortable, and sometimes downright painful, but the presence of inflammation isn’t always a bad thing. Inflammation is a natural response to an infection or injury. It is a part of the body’s healing system and so occurs when there is injury or illness to combat.
However, inflammation can also occur without these triggers and, in these cases, is typically a result of one’s lifestyle, including diet, stress level and lack of exercise. Even if your inflammation has become chronic, there are natural ways to reduce it so you can improve and feel better soon.
1. Diet
To start with, consume anti-inflammatory foods. Select a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods and unhealthy fats. Some foods that you will want to add to your diet include green leafy vegetables, broccoli, nuts, fatty fish and berries. In the same vein, keep away from foods known to contribute to inflammation, such as sugar, high fructose corn syrup, refined carbohydrates, alcohol and processed meats.
2. Get active
A sedentary lifestyle is a great contributor to inflammation and the pain that comes with it. You’ll do yourself a great favor by being sure to start an exercise routine. Research has suggested that just 20 minutes of exercise each day can have an impact by activating important cellular responses. We know that there are days when it can be difficult to spare even 20 minutes, but know that doing so will have a significant impact on your health.
3. Manage stress
Another goal of yours should be to manage your stress. Everyone manages stress differently, so find what works best for you. Natural stress reducers include: lavender, chamomile, baths and meditation. Some also find solace in practicing yoga. And did you know that exercise and a healthy diet can also help you feel less stressed? That’s a win-win.
4. Healthy lifestyle
Lastly, general lifestyle factors can have a big impact. When you adopt an overall healthier lifestyle, you are likely to see a big difference. Improve your lifestyle and improve your life. So, don’t smoke and make sure you’re getting adequate sleep. Spend time with friends and be sure to take time for yourself.
Chronic inflammation doesn’t have to continue to impact your life. Take the steps now using these tips and experience a pain-free, healthy existence. You are entirely capable of leading your life down the path you want to go. If you’ve followed this advice and continue to experience harmful inflammation, make an appointment with your functional medicine doctor to get to the root cause.
