Inflammation is a natural occurrence in the body. It is a defense mechanism reacting to things like toxins and injuries. In most cases the inflammation is needed to help heal the body. Only when the inflammation continues to go on and not calm down does it begin to cause a real problem. If not handled, it can begin to trigger major problems like cancer and heart disease among other disorders.

You may have heard of an ‘anti-inflammatory diet’ circulating around. This is a great idea, but diet isn’t the only way to help calm your inflammation. We have a few tips of ways to help calm your chronic inflammation.

Reduce Your Stress
Did you know that chronic stress can lead to chronic inflammation? If you are constantly fighting deadlines, feeling anxious and keeping your self in a state of stress, you are fueling the inflammation fire. Make your mental health your number one priority and take time for mindful walks and meditation. Also remember to say ‘no’ and don’t feel guilty about it. Your health is the most important thing you have so kick stressful habits and reduce your inflammation.

Quit Smoking
Smoking has been linked to chronic inflammation. It is said to have an inflammatory effect on the immune system. Check out this study to see the results. If you are currently smoking, or are inhaling second hand smoke regularly, consider quitting or moving yourself to a place where you are no longer exposed.

Exercise
Exercise has been found to lower inflammation markers no matter what bodyweight a person has. Getting 2.5 hours of exercise a week is recommended for best results which can be spread out during the week to 5 days for 30 minutes each, or anyway that works best for you.

Make Sleep A Priority
Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Studies have shown that inflammation increases in the body if you lose even a night’s worth of sleep. Which is why it’s so important to make this a priority everyday.

Get Sun
Of course we are not saying you should stay out in the sun all day, but getting 10-15 in the sun each day is a great way to get some vitamin D naturally. Vitamin D is crucial to your health and deficiencies in it have been linked to inflammation.

Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3261116/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080902075211.htm
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24762/7-ways-to-reduce-chronic-inflammation-that-have-nothing-to-do-with-diet.html?utm_source=mbg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=160428-how-your-meditation-routine-is-altering-your-dna
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/07/chronic-stress-health-inflammation-genes_n_4226420.html