“Inflammation is a common contributor and possible cause underlying all diseases, whether you are talking about heart, liver, kidney problems, obesity, or psychiatric disease,”

In general, when your mental energy takes too much from your physical energy, it puts your body in a state of deficit, and inflammation in the body occurs.It takes mental energy when we use our brains to think and analyze. In fact, we are constantly using our brains to think, analyze, and figure stuff out. This continual thinking from the brain takes energy from our body. At some point our body needs to rejuvenate.

We need to take time to relax, and get out of our heads, so our body can rejuvenate. There is such a thing as “too much thinking,” just like too much of anything is not good. Thinking needs to be balanced with non-thinking. Balance is good. Take time for thinking, then take time to relax. This allows for optimal functioning of the brain and the body.

What happens when we think too much?

When the thinking of the brain takes too much energy from the body, this depletes the energy of the body. Lower body energy affects our immune system — it functions more slowly. The immune system is our natural response to inflammation in the body. An impaired immune system results in incomplete repair of cells and tissue, and inflammation in the body expands.

We’ve all heard the saying, “keep your mind active,” especially as we age. Well, this is a little bit of a misnomer; more precisely it’s saying, “keep your brain active.” While brain activity is all well and good, there needs to be balance. There needs to be brain activity, and rest. Just like anything, balance is best.

We are thinking when we work and when we play. Our brain is “on” all day during work or at school. Our brain is “on” when playing sports, or other games such as cards, board games, checkers or chess. If you are, for example, constantly working, playing games, or thinking, you are not giving yourself downtime — a chance to rest, relax, and renew.

This can lead to inflammation in the body

Common examples of inflammation are arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and other autoimmune problems. Be active, get going during the day, but give yourself time to rest, too. Balance. Then the body gets a chance to recuperate, and your immune system ramps up to repair damaged cells and tissue. Isn’t an awesomely functioning immune system invaluable?

This is similar to exercise. Exercise is good for the body, but you need to rest after exercise.

A good way to relax the brain is to get into the mind. The mind only knows balance and does nothing in excess. The flowing energy of the mind brings our bodies back to balance.

“We need to get out of our brain activity, and into our minds, so the mind can balance the brain and the body. In mind, we balance the body and reduce inflammation. The mind allows for mental and physical rejuvenation.”

Nature is simple. There is the brain and the mind. By learning to access your mind, you move away from the brain and into a more relaxed state of renewal.

meditation is a way to access the mind

In a study at UCSD, patients who did Kelee meditation for 12 weeks saw a significant reduction in stress, anxiety and depression. Lead author of the study, Dr. Daniel Lee, says, “These days, researchers are looking for answers on how to control inflammation to fight disease. However, Kelee meditation provides a unique way to access the mind to calm and quiet brain activity, which helps to relax the physical body allowing for recovery and rejuvenation. It is through understanding the concept of moderation and the balance between mind function and brain function that ultimately leads to the improvement of quality of life and begins the process of the reversing the disease process naturally, without having to rely on medications.”

Fantastic Foods That Reduce Inflammation Naturally

The best treatment for inflammation doesn't come from a pharmacy but the grocery store.

Almost anyone has had some form of inflammation, which is a natural part of the body’s defense mechanism to deal with perceived threats. While acute inflammation helps the body heal, chronic inflammation actually weakens the body and may also be the root cause of many other diseases.

Doctors usually prescribe strong medications to treat inflammation, but there is another, more natural way. "One of the most powerful tools to combat inflammation comes not from the pharmacy, but from the grocery store," Harvard Health Publishing writes.

Many of the foods that can reduce inflammation are part of a Mediterranean Diet, which emphasizes fish, vegetables, and olive oil as part of a healthy eating plan.

So, pass the olive oil and eat your way to feeling better.

1. Pour on the Olive Oil

Eat Good oils – Olive oil, grapeseed oil or avocado oil are full of Omege-9 fatty acids that can reduce inflammation. Use 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil daily.

2. Go Fishing

Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation like Salmon, cod, herring, sardines, mackerel, perch, bass, tuna. East 3 or more servings a week.

3. Fill up Your Tank With Fruits and Vegetables

The darker the fruit, the better it is for you. Eat fruits that are full of antioxidants including cherries, Strawberries, Raspberries, blackberries, apples, and pineapple. Eating Vitamin K-rich dark vegetables like broccoli, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, and bok choy can also reduce inflammation.

4. Get Your Daily Fiber

Eating high fiber foods like whole grain bread, brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, and oatmeal is an excellent way to combat inflammation and promote a healthier lifestyle.

5. Peel the Onions and Press the Garlic

Recent studies about the health benefits of onions and garlic show that they add more than great taste to your menu.

6. Go Nuts

Nuts and seeds are high in Omega-3 fatty acids and you should eat a handful every day. The best ones to eat are natural walnuts, almonds pistachios, and hazelnuts.

7. Are You Going to Scarborough Fair?

Herbs and spices including thyme, oregano, curcumin found in turmeric and chili peppers have been found in recent studies to reduce inflammation.

8. More Than Just Guacamole

Avocados are rich in monosaturated fat and vitamin E and can reduce joint damage in people who suffer from Osteoarthrosis. They are delicious, low in fat, and very good for you.

9. Teatime

Besides reducing your risk of heart disease and cancer, green tea also stages an anti-inflammatory fight inside your body. Relax and enjoy a good cup of tea every day.

10. Dip Into the Hummus

Beans are high in fiber and antioxidants, so they naturally reduce inflammation. Put more Mediterranean foods into your diet. The best beans to eat are black, red kidney, pinto, and chickpeas.

11. Fire up the Wok

Soy products can have a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Unprocessed soy is best so eating more tofu and edamame and drink more soy milk.

These foods help reduce inflammation, but other foods actually increase it. Harvard publications stressed that the following foods should be avoided or sharply limited: refined carbohydrates like white bread and pastries, fried foods like French fries, soda and other sweetened soft drinks, red meats like burgers and steaks and processed meats like hot dogs and sausages, and fats like margarine, shortening, and lard.

Eating your way to less inflammation is the healthier and so much tastier alternative.