Benefits of a Healthy Lifestyle, How Stress Affects Health, A Holistic Approach to Health.
At this point, the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle are well known. Eating nutrient-rich whole foods (unprocessed), exercising, and getting a good night's sleep is the formula for creating vitality and energy in one's life. So why isn’t everyone doing it?
In my line of work as a Nurse Care Manager, I found stress is often overlooked as a factor affecting health. People might take medication for chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, but there isn’t necessarily a pill for stress. How people cope with the day-to-day stressors of life influences their mental, physical, and emotional health.
Stress and sleep, stress and eating, stress and exercise all affect one another. Most people have had nights where they had gotten minimal sleep and sometimes no sleep at all (hats off to new parents). The day may pass by in a fog, the irritability level may be on “high alert” and decision fatigue (yes, this is a thing now) is maxed out. I have definately been there! Now let's take a day where the body received sufficient sleep. The sun shines a bit brighter (at least that's how I see it), the irritability level is in the “friendly" zone, and focus is available to make those hundreds of decisions people must make daily. Lack of sleep will influence what foods we choose, especially the sugary kind that will release the feel-good hormone (dopamine) for a bit, till the sugar is metabolized (processed by the body) and the body is back in a slump. Generally speaking, getting a good night's rest will allow the cells to regenerate and humans need that.
Getting active when you are tired can be challenging, but not impossible. Exercise is very important. It helps the body manage pain, reduce stress, and aid sleep to name a few ways. It can also encourage regular bowel movements and weight loss. Weight is a factor affecting joint pain and is the number one factor for chronic disease (heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes).
Humans need food, water, rest, purpose, and love to flourish. Eating healthy initially may start as a challenge because it decreases the highly processed fast and sugary foods, affecting the dopamine release. So initially it seems like a loss, but ultimately once nutrient-rich foods are incorporated regularly the body will start to feel better and optimize its ability to function.
I am a problem solver and curious Holistic Coach. Let's explore what a healthy lifestyle can look like for you. Schedule a free 30-minute consult to see if we are a good fit to work together towards creating a healthy lifestyle. Until then, eat well, sleep well, and may the force be with you.
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