Easy Ways to Renew Your Body

The body has been likened to a temple – you must care for your own body with the same reverence and devotion that worshippers do when they care for their temples and churches.

This devotion to yourself may feel strange and selfish, but it is just the opposite: only when you are healthy and fit can your mind and spirit function at their best. When your body is healed, you will be stronger for everyone else in your life.

You must think hard about what you are ingesting when you are suffering from stress: we often treat our bodies poorly at such times. Your current diet may be atrocious, consisting of “comfort” foods that may actually cause great discomfort to your digestive system and your moods and emotions. By eating to soothe yourself, you are actually putting more stress on your body and mind.

Paying more attention to your diet will reap dividends right away: lean proteins, leafy greens, whole grains, fish with omega-3 fatty acids that “feed” the brain – all of these will almost instantly make you feel more alive and more in control of your emotions and your life in general.

Carbohydrates and excessive dairy intake will tax your system and make you feel sluggish –consider lowering your consumption of white sugar and white flour immediately. Excess sodium in processed foods like chips, fast food, and even canned soups will raise your blood pressure, making it harder to deal with problems as they arise, without becoming stressed and overwhelmed. Everything you put into your body will act upon you in some way – remembering this when you are preparing meals is the first step to feeling good on the inside.

1. Eat a diet composed of 50 to 75 percent raw foods.
2. Avoid processed foods and all foods that create stress on the system,
3. Eliminate dairy products from your diet for three weeks. Then reintroduce them slowly–and watch for returning symptoms of your “nervous” condition.
4. Limit your intake of caffeine. Caffeine contributes to nervousness and disrupts natural sleep patterns.
5. Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and mood-altering drugs. While these substances may offer temporary relief from stress, they do nothing to really address the problem and they are harmful to your health.
6. Follow a monthly fasting program. Be sure to consult with your physician before starting a fasting or exercise program.