HOMEOSTASIS : THE MAGICAL BALANCE THAT KEEPS US MOVING
Much like a carefully balanced stack of rocks, our internal ecosystem is reliant on each succeeding system to maintain complete balance and stability. Without the assured stability of one of these components, the entire system could reap the consequences of the imbalance. The process which ensures this balance of systems is homeostasis. Homeostasis is constantly making adjustments and changes inside and out of your cells, in order to properly manage lifestyle changes and developing illness or disease. While it may seem that homeostasis is prepared to handle every type of lifestyle and disease, it can quickly become deficient in some nutrients and minerals or may become toxic with outside poisons. These imbalances lead to cellular malfunction, which cause the immune system to be weakened and allows disease to easily take control of the system. This may all sound quite overwhelming, and frankly freaky, but there are some simple ways to maintain the delicate balance of this homeostatic environment.
The first, and arguably the factor with the biggest impact, is diet. The root of a strong and aligned body has everything to do with the fuel you are providing it with. Homeostatic imbalances, caused by a poor or overindulgent diet, can appear as either a metabolic disturbance or dramatic changes in body weight. Forever Fit Science published an article detailing the best foods to eat in order to maintain a homeostatic balance, and addresses all this homeostasis in the body.
Alright, so you’ve improved your diet or you feel confident with your current one- what’s next? Following close behind a well-balanced diet is consistent exercise and adequate rest. Physical activity and adequate sleep are equally important when it comes to upholding a strong and adaptable internal balance. Lack of sleep can weaken your immune system and potentially cause irregular heartbeat, headaches, anxiety and fatigue. Ensuring that you are getting an appropriate amount of sleep, (according to SleepFoundation 7-9 hours for the average adult), is equally important to your overall health as diet and exercise. Interestingly, exercise actually disturbs the homeostasis process and in turn places the cells under stress and forces the system to adapt and become more efficient in order to prepare for future activity.
The next factor is one that is often downplayed or seperated from physical/immune health; that factor is mental health. Too often is mental health not addressed with the same seriousness as physical health. When, in reality, mental and physical health have direct ties and are directly impacted by each other. In a study conducted by The Mental Health Foundation, it was discovered that depression was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood of dying from cancer and a 67 percent increase of dying from heart disease. Taking charge of your mental health will result in the longevity of your physical health and ultimately improve your quality of life. Understanding that mental and physical health are synonymous, is the first step in increasing homeostatic functions in the body and performing at your best.
Recognizing the ways in which your body allows you to do the things you do everyday, is vital for sustaining a healthy and balanced life. Homeostasis works non-stop to keep our internal balance, but it can only perform as well as we are willing to work to maintain it. Eating well, consistently exercising, getting an adequate amount of sleep and checking in on your mental health will allow this system eternal balance. Envision a stack of carefully balanced rocks when you think of your internal systems; this balance does take time and certainly takes patience, but when it is complete the product is as satisfying as it is sound.