Our bodies have an incredible and persistent self-healing mechanism. For example, if you fracture a bone, it will regrow and heal itself. If you cut yourself while chopping vegetables, your skin will regenerate and heal. These are just a few examples of our body’s innate ability to heal.
When you are ill or injured, your body will find a way to deal with the issue and self-restore. But if we all have a natural self-healing mechanism, why do a quarter of American adults deal with chronic pain, and almost half suffer from chronic disease? Disease results from abuse and deprivation of our basic requirements over time.
Another reason for disease and illness is that we are limited in our knowledge. Only some people are aware that their body has this astonishing self-healing mechanism. While we know some healing mechanisms, science continues to discover and better understand others.
Science used to focus on treating symptoms with medication and surgery. And while that works for certain infections or life-threatening injuries, it’s a practical solution to most human illnesses.
When you are healthy, your body can do immense things like:
- Kill cancer cells
- Heal wounds
- Fight infections
- Delay the aging process
So, how can you tap into and preserve your body’s natural healing mechanism? Read on to learn more.
Cells Can Renew Themselves
Nine months. That’s how long a cell divides inside the mother’s uterus. Then you have a baby that’s ready for birth. All human life starts with a single cell and then multiplies.
Cells are the building blocks of the human body. Our cells constantly work to return the body to a state of equilibrium. Medications and physical therapies are supporting acts that facilitate our body’s natural healing mechanism. That’s because cells have a fantastic ability to self-heal and maintain balance within the body. Cells can replace themselves, make new ones, and replace damaged ones. If you have a large group of malignant cells, the surrounding cells will work to replace them.
Think about when you get a cut. First, your blood vessels will quickly contract to slow the bleeding. Then, your body will form a clot at the injury site. Eventually, white blood cells accumulate to digest dead cells. Finally, dead cell debris falls off, and there is space for your new cells or skin.
Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable atoms that can damage cells. When there are too many free radicals in the body, it can cause aging and disease. The body’s normal essential metabolic processes contribute to some free radical formation. But external factors can cause excessive free radicals. Examples of external factors include:
- X-ray exposure
- Ozone
- Cigarette smoke
- Air pollution
- Industrial chemicals
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Extreme stress
Most Disease Is Preventable
The truth is that most diseases are preventable. We can prevent almost all sicknesses, from minor colds to more severe conditions like heart disease and cancer. The key is to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes clean eating and adequate physical activity.
The Keys to Maximizing Your Body’s Self-Healing Properties
Proper Sleep and Rest
Sleep is one of the most crucial elements of maintaining good health. Likewise, good sleep hygiene lends a hand to maintaining good physical, emotional, and mental health. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about one-third of Americans are getting enough sleep. The other two-thirds need to get more.
The optimal amount of sleep for the average adult is eight hours. For children, it’s even more – 11 to 12 hours. But, unfortunately, the modern lifestyle that demands a full plate and crammed schedules only allows some of us to get the recommended amount of sleep.
Sleep is when our bodies heal and repair themselves. While our bodies use minimal energy to sustain, it is the ideal time to regenerate itself (which is during sleep). Unfortunately, constant sleep deprivation weakens our immune system. As a result, we may seek artificial energy from external sources (like coffee). However, this is a disservice to your body. Instead, you can try to get a whole 8 hours of sleep every night. That will help your body’s healing and restorative processes to function optimally.
Diet
As the classic saying goes, you are what you eat. Try to eat a healthy, nutrient-rich diet to improve your body’s self-healing abilities. Furthermore, minimizing processed foods and junk food with artificial ingredients and preservatives is recommended.
A healthy diet is rich in fresh produce and low in animal fats and unhealthy oils. Additionally, nuts and seeds are excellent sources of fiber and beneficial oil. Try adding lean protein sources like beans, fish, and tofu. If possible, opt for organic foods, as they have fewer traces of pesticides and growth hormones. Research also shows that organic produce has higher flavonoid contents and plant compounds that help prevent cancer.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most remarkable ways to take charge of your body’s health. The benefits of exercise are endless – it makes you stronger, happier, fit, and feel better. Not only do you get stronger with exercise, but it also helps reduce emotional stress and promote better sleep.
Any exercise that gets your blood circulating will help the body purify itself. It doesn’t have to be crazy. You can try low intensity exercises like yoga, brisk walking, rowing, or walking to condition your body’s cardiovascular network. Doing so also releases our feel-good hormones (endorphins). The more we work with our bodies and give them what they truly need, the less we will need external forces to help us feel good.
Tap Into Your Body’s Self-Healing Mechanism Today!
We are a wellness center in Hilton Head Island, SC providing natural yet new answers to age-old health concerns. So if you’re ready to thrive and empower your body, contact us today to schedule a consultation!
