“Inflammation is the body’s response to stress.”

This stress can range from an injury to a cold or virus, but the inflammation comes in when the body is working to protect the stressed area.

This is why when you get a cut or a scrape, it will sometimes appear red and swollen, it is the body’s response to try to get rid of the stress.

The body also does this when you get a cold or a virus, it produces cytokines to come help fight off the germs, this is the good part of inflammation. It is temporary and allows the body to heal and repair the way it should. It’s a great way to know your immune system is functioning the way that it should.

However, over time, if you start to develop issues with chronic inflammation, then your body is telling you that something is wrong. It is overproducing and overworking, therefore making you more susceptible to illness and injury.

This kind of inflammation is bad. And sadly, it can get worse if not treated.

When chronic inflammation goes unattended, it creates chronic conditions such as autoimmune disorders and can even affect fertility. 

How does it affect fertility? The chronic inflammation can damage the cells of the reproductive organs and even lessens sperm quality. After time it can also create the autoimmune response that attacks the same organs.

Sigh. It sounds depressing and overwhelming, doesn’t it?

But, good news, it doesn’t have to be. There are some great natural things you can do to help reduce and eliminate inflammation.

7 ways to reduce inflammation naturally

1. Reduce stress

I know what you are thinking, “doesn’t everyone say that”? Yes. And you should totally do it. Stress in the body messes with cortisol levels, this chronic stress affects your adrenals but it also produced inflammation making you more prone to diseases.

2. Herbs

Herbs are a great aid in reducing inflammation. I love them for many reasons of course, but one main reason is that they are potent. As an added bonus, most of the herbs that are known to help with inflammation are cooking herbs, which means you can add them to your meals and they don’t taste as bad some other medicinal herbs.

Some of my favorites are turmeric, cayenne, ginger, cinnamon, garlic, and cayenne.

3. Get rid of the processed foods

If you are dealing with chronic inflammation, processed food is out. This is a great first step for anyone trying to get healthy, but especially important for those dealing with inflammation. Go a little at a time until you have worked it all out of your diet. I promise you will feel a difference in your overall health.

4. Ditch the sugar

Sigh. I know, this tough. I like sugar…A LOT. However, it is not my friend. When I eat sugar my stomach doesn’t even want to tolerate dairy! It’s not worth it to me.

If you need some help getting rid of the sugar, check out Donielle’s great guide (The Sugar Detox Challenge) on how to eliminate sugar for your diet.

5. Systemic enzymes

A good supplement to try for inflammation is systemic enzymes. They are different from regular enzymes because they are coated to break down in the body to reduce inflammation, not just help digest food. You can read more about them here.

6. Keep your lymph system flowing

This can be key in helping the body filter out toxins. Toxins build up and cause inflammation. Keeping the lymph fluid moving by drinking lots of water and dry skin brushing is a great way to reduce inflammation. This is also great to help all your systems function better.

7. Get enough rest

Yes, get yourself to bed on time. If you are tired during the day, try to put your feet up for 10 minutes and reset.

If your body is fatigued, it is stressed. As I stated before, stress reduces the function your body. Getting sleep is vital to your well-being, take the time to get yourself to bed before 10 pm. (or, at least, get eight full hours of sleep in per night)

I know some of those items above seem daunting, but just take them one step at a time. You don’t have to go in that order. Go from easiest to hardest so you have some success under your belt.

I am a firm believer that baby steps are the way to go and make changes less intimidating. Just think of how great you will feel.

In time, each of these simple steps will make a large impact on your overall health. Reducing inflammation will make every system in your body function better, which is great for improving fertility.

What do you do to help your body reduce inflammation?

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Jessica

Jessica loves to learn and share about natural living, from whole foods to herbal remedies. With a desire to take care of her family through natural means, she has spent a lot of time researching and experimenting to find what fits best in her lifestyle. Struggling with her health for a few years after a miscarriage she tested positive for Hashimoto's and is currently working on healing through diet and natural supplements. Jessica started her blog Simply Healthy Home to share her family's journey to being healthy and happy.

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