An overwhelming number of patients I have seen over this past month seem to have excess inflammation. Some are seeing it in their abdomen while others are noticing it in their joints. For some it's manifesting in their chronic condition. Why so much inflammation now? Because stress can cause inflammation, and in many ways we're living in times that are very inflaming on a number of levels.
There are a few things you can do to reduce this stress-induced inflammation.
1. Do Relaxing Activities Daily - People de-stress in different ways. For some it's writing while for others it's painting. Some do yoga while others prefer running. Some like to cook to relax. Others enjoy being outside in nature. Whatever activity that helps you relax, commit to doing it every day for at least 30 minutes. Your adrenal glands will thank you for this self-care.
2. Lay Off the Refined Sugar - Dark maple syrup and local honey are better alternatives for sweeteners whereas white sugar can not only tax the pancreas but it can also contribute to systemic inflammation in the body. If you're itching to bake cookies, consider swapping out the sugar for either dark maple syrup or local honey. Typically you need less than what the recipe calls for.
3. Lay Off the Alcohol - Yeah....I heard you groan as you read that. One or two servings of alcohol per week is not going to contribute to significant inflammation, but drinking more than that can. Excessive alcohol can lead to liver inflammation, which impedes the ability of the liver to filter the blood, which can lead to more inflammation in the body.
4. Get Acupuncture - Acupuncture treatments have a wonderful ability to de-stress the body. Not only that, but sleep, digestion and moods tend to improve after a treatment.
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