The human body possesses an enormous, astonishing, and persistent capacity to heal itself. Disease generally occurs when we abuse our bodies or deprive them of basic requirements to keep us healthy over extended periods.
Every second our body is not only energizing but also healing. This remarkable and complex process throughout our body never stops as healing is never complete. This healing process is not just for injuries. It also takes care of the normal, everyday wear and tear of modern life. Damaged, destroyed, or dead cells are replaced in great numbers daily including in our mouth, intestines, blood, etc.. Every second that we’re alive, the cells in our bodies are endlessly working to bring us back to a natural state of homeostasis or equilibrium.
Each cell is a dynamic, living unit that is constantly monitoring and adjusting its own processes, ongoingly working to restore itself according to the original DNA code it was created with and to maintain balance within the body. Cells have the ability to heal themselves, as well as make new cells that replace those that have been permanently damaged or destroyed. Even when a large number of cells are destroyed — the surrounding cells replicate to make new cells, thereby quickly replacing the cells that were destroyed.
When a bleeding injury occurs anywhere in our bodies, blood vessels at the site contract and slow the bleeding. Next, blood platelets that come in contact with air, begin forming a blood clot where the injury is located. White blood cells then accumulate on the spot and destroy and digest dead cells by secreting special enzymes stored in small packets in the cells called lysosomes. That way, dead-cell debris is removed and new space is made for new cells to occupy.
Almost simultaneously, the process of new cell formation begins. These new cells originate mostly from the newer layers of cells of a particular tissue, while older cells are pushed to the site of the injury, to gradually fill the space that was made by the injury. This remarkable and complex process automatically stops when the healing is complete.
Leading healthy lifestyles and consuming healthful (as opposed to toxic) diets, will go a very long way in keeping us healthy, whether we are young or older. A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that as many as two-thirds of all Americans don’t get enough sleep.
Cell recovery takes place when we are in a Parasympathetic Nervous System functioning state or the rest, digest, and recover mode of the Autonomic Nervous System. By staying in a state of constant stress, we stay away from our body’s ability for cell recovery.
The optimal amount of daily sleep for the average person is eight hours, and for a child, 11-12 hours. But the myriad responsibilities that many of us, adults and children alike make it so that many are robbing themselves of one of the most crucial elements of maintaining good physical, as well as mental/emotional health.
The body is endlessly working to repair and regenerate itself. This happens to a great extent when we are sleeping — when our body’s energy is only minimally being used to sustain autonomic nervous system function (that is, involuntary functions such as heartbeat), and most of it can be directed toward restorative and healing processes.
Shorting oneself on sleep is known to weaken the immune system. To get energy the artificial way (say, through caffeine) is to do the body a great disservice, by denying it the amount of rest that will make all its systems, including the immune system and the body’s healing and restorative processes, work at their best.
Another way in which we can greatly improve our body’s powerful self-healing properties is by eating a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
It is important to minimize our consumption of processed foods, as well as artificial food additives, preservatives, colorants, flavors, etc.
A diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and low in animal fats and hydrogenated oils, is best for all of us. Lean sources of protein such as beans are also great. Nuts and seeds are rich in nutrients and fiber and have beneficial oils.
Organic foods are preferable to non-organic, as they have fewer traces of pesticides and growth hormones. In addition, organic fruits and vegetables have been found to have higher contents of flavonoids, plant compounds with antioxidant properties believed to aid in the prevention of cancer.
Regular exercise, yoga, t’ai chi, etc. strengthens and conditions the body’s cardiovascular network and helps reduce emotional stress. It also promotes better sleep. It can be a fun activity that you enjoy, such as bike-riding, or just a regular walk, or stretching, that will stimulate blood circulation, and help the body oxygenate and purify itself.
Working, worrying, texting, driving, arguing with others, intense exercise—these all shift us OUT of rest and digest into “fight-or-flight” mode.
The body cannot function properly, let alone heal when it is in “fight-or-flight” mode and studies now show that over 85% of us live this way!
Moving into a state of rest and digest is pivotal in ALL healing protocols AND a crucial aspect of being able to choose wellbeing no matter what adversity is going on in life.
All healing occurs in a parasympathetic state; this includes healthy digestion, detoxification, and cellular regeneration.
When we are in a consistent state of “fight-or-flight,” this can lead to:
- Tired but wired feeling, not sleeping throughout the night, often wide awake between 1-4am and exhausted upon waking.
- Digestive issues such as constipation and bloating, despite a healthy balanced diet. Stress is one of the most common reasons for constipation.
- High stress due to various situations can also increase oxidative stress and free-radical production within our body.
- Increased blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.
- Weight gain especially around the middle.
- Feelings of not being able to calm down or slow down mentally and physically.
Balancing our parasympathetic nervous system and sympathetic nervous systems is so essential for cellular healing thereby it also improves our experience of life physically and emotionally in many ways.
Johns Hopkins Medicine
We are all Interconnected even with the Universe 