Healing Autoimmune Disease Naturally: A Lifestyle Approach
Healing Autoimmune Disease Naturally: A Lifestyle Approach
The Autoimmune Protocol goes beyond just diet. Lifestyle factors play an important role in our health and healing. In this video I briefly cover 6 lifestyle factors that can have significant impact in how you feel day to day when you live with chronic illness.
Sufficient Sleep: Sleep gives our bodies a chance to regulate and heal. Not getting enough sleep causes inflammation. Sleep is also crucial for stress management. Adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night (and possibly more if you have a chronic illness). Having a regular bedtime and wake time, avoiding stimulating activities 2 hrs before bed, and getting out in the natural sunlight each day can help improve your quality of sleep.
Stress Management: Chronic stress increases inflammation and impacts immune system function. Its negative side effects are many, including impaired digestion, gut dysbiosis (leaky gut), and hormone disruptions. Reducing stress and developing resilience are important factors when it comes to healing.
Physical Activity/ Movement: Gentle movement throughout the day is key when it comes to autoimmune healing. Strenuous workouts can exacerbate symptoms. Activities like walking, stretching, or strength training using your own body weight are great ways to integrate movement into your daily life.
Nature and Sunlight: Sun exposure is necessary for our bodies to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D serves an important role in many bodily processes including immunity, inflammation and sleep. Aim to spend some time outside each and every day.
Connection: The benefits of connecting with others and being a part of something greater than yourself are twofold. Feeling connected reduces stress and also provides the opportunity to seek help and support on your healing journey.
Spirit: connecting with something greater than yourself, whatever that looks like for you, can foster a sense of purpose, hope, and positivity.
Now, what you might be thinking is “Diet AND Lifestyle modifications, that sounds like a lot”! Reclaiming your health will take effort. But it is definitely worth it. The exercise at the end of this video will help you move through any mindset drama that may arise as you consider embarking in your healing journey.