Get On the Road to a More Balanced Body

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Catherine_Stack]Catherine Stack
In order to achieve optimal health your body should be work in balance. To get on the road to a balanced body there are certain components that need to be working properly so that the body works in harmony. These components are:
Adequate Sleep: Sleep acts like your body's natural recharger. It is important to get on a consistent sleep schedule so that your body has the opportunity to metabolize food to an optimal degree. Sleep also allows your body to repair and renew tissue, nerve cells and other glands and reorganize thoughts and memories. If you are sleep deprived than your body undergoes a hormonal imbalance of adrenaline and cortisol which triggers a metabolic slowdown. This negative cycle of slowdown and hormonal imbalance triggers a chain reaction of water retention, digestive challenges, irritability, lack of focus, and unstable blood sugar. So do yourself a favor and catch up on some needed zzzzz. Typically it is suggested to get 8 hours of sleep but everybody is different. The best way to determine is to go by the number of hours you typically need to feel rested and ready to start the day.
Nutrition: The right food can be medicine as well as fuel for the body. With a good nutrition plan you will stabilize blood sugar, release stored fat consistently, and balance your hormones.
Exercise: Physical exercise is needed to burn your fuel. A good exercise plan recruits all your muscle fibers which will increase your lean body mass, speed metabolism and maximize your fat burning capabilities. Exercise is a crucial component in the quest to achieve body balance.
Vitamins, Minerals, and Omega-3:It is important to get the proper nutrients to keep the body running efficiently as well providing the body with antioxidants to combat damaging free radicals that disrupt body balance. If you eat the right food choices you do not have to take supplements but seeing how busy most people's lives are, sometimes it is difficult to incorporate a variety of foods. Taking a daily multivitamin/mineral seems to meet most people's active lifestyle. The best type of supplement to take is liquid form to ensure maximum absorption. Omega-3 can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve brain function, and reduce inflammation and joint pain. It is also known to improve the appearance and condition of your skin, hair and nails. It is suggested to eat a fatty fish three times a week. If you are concerned about mercury levels found in fish than the other alternative is to take 3,000 to 5,000 mg of fish oil per day.
Water: Take at least 8 glasses of water a day in order to keep your metabolism running efficiently, maintains muscle hydration and blood circulation, radiates the skin and eliminates bloating. Since the human body is made up of 70 percent water, it is only logical that adequate water intake is very necessary for body balance.
Stress reduction: Stress is causes your body to keep high levels of cortisol which raises blood sugar levels which increases fat storing capacity. Cortisol suppresses your immune system which triggers inflammation, and bloating, and slows metabolism. Stress is one of the worst offenders when it comes to disrupting body balance.
Have an annual checkup: You should consult your doctor and check to see if you have any nutrient deficiency. It is also important to monitor your blood pressure and to screen for diabetes and other chronic diseases. If you catch a problem in the early stages it can mean the difference of many additional years to your lifespan.
Do something you enjoy and laugh a little more: Enjoyment is considered the x-factor. If you regularly do things that give you pleasure your mood will be elevated and stress levels greatly reduced. As they say there is no better medicine than laughter and pure joy so make sure to incorporate a dose of both in your everyday routine to achieve not only body balance but mind and soul balance. http://blog.healthnut101.com
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Get-On-the-Road-to-a-More-Balanced-Body&id=6695820] Get On the Road to a More Balanced Body