Certified Wellness Coach, Holistic Health Practitioner, International Speaker, & Author Being Featured on CBS, FOX, NBC
STRESS from work. STRESS from family. Stress can be defined as a strong or straining exertion. Our bodies have a mechanism the flight or fight response that helps us to effectively manage stress. However, our bodies aren’t designed to handle stress daily.
Long term effects of stress will create chaos in our bodies. After years of wear and tear our bodies will begin to crumble or break down completely. This can result in ulcers and hypertension. The ultimate enemy can present as an autoimmune condition. There are countless autoimmune conditions and the common component among them is the condition causes your body to attack itself.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition that primarily affects woman of color. The Lupus Foundation of America estimates that 1.5 million Americans have lupus and at least five million people worldwide. One in five hundred and thirty-seven young black women are affected by lupus. The lupus in minority population study reported that black women have organ system involvement and their lupus is more active than whites. It is estimated that 10-15 percent of people with lupus will die prematurely due to complications.
Multiple factors cause lupus including environment, genetics, and hormones. Notwithstanding 50% of autoimmune conditions has been linked to unknown trigger factors. Are you ready for this statistic? EIGHTY PERCENT of patients reported uncommon emotional stress before disease onset. WE ARE LITERALLY WORKING OURSELVES TO DEATH.
Ladies it’s imperative that we listen to our bodies. Our bodies are designed to work as well as rest. Rest is imperative for us to perform our best in our career and maintain a fulfilling personal life. When we ignore the warning signs more damage is done which makes the recovery process slower.
Common body signals for rest:
· Waking up feeling tired
· Missed menstrual cycle
· Irritability
· Hair Loss
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms give your body the rest it deserves and schedule a doctor’s appointment.
Do you realize that neglecting your body is dangerous? I didn’t realize how dangerous it was until my body decided to shut down. One evening I woke up and was experiencing extreme pain and difficulty breathing. My symptoms had been waxing and waning for a little while and when I arrived at the ER several tests were administered. One of the test Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) came back positive and because of the symptoms I was experiencing the doctor diagnosed me with systemic lupus.
This trip to the emergency room happened five years ago. My life changed in ways I never imagined. Now I listen to my body and ensure I give it proper rest and nutrition. Since I began listening to my body you wouldn’t believe the changes that have resulted. Three years ago, I entered remission with systemic lupus!
Self-care is key to maintaining good health. One of the most important components of self-care is diet.
The following foods/drinks are beneficial:
v Water with lemon Our body is composed of about 60% of water. It makes sense to drink plenty of water. Adding lemon (essential oil/fruit) balances ph and helps purify the liver.
v Spinach Tastes great in salad combine with tomatoes and a drizzle of olive oil. Spinach is a good source of protein which makes a great substitute for meat.
v Beans Beans are the perfect food. They measure high in antioxidant capabilities. Since they are high in fiber and water a person feels fuller quicker which can aid in cutting calories.
Other diet recommendations include consuming meat no more than three or four times a week and drinking no soda.
Rest and relaxation is another component of self-care. Pamper yourself at least weekly doing whatever you enjoy. Your body will thank you by providing more energy and performing even better.
Love and invest in yourself because you are an asset!
