Can You Hear Your Body’s SOS?
From Muscle Soreness to Sleep Woes—Time to Answer the Everyday Call of "Dis-Ease" and Reach For Wellness
Wellness Tune-Up: Fixing the Little Things Before They Snowball
Have you ever paused amidst your daily hustle to notice the subtle signals your body sends? A slight muscle ache here, a foggy mind there—these aren't just random occurrences but indicators of an underlying imbalance. This “dis-ease,” in the most literal sense, reflects the disarray of our body’s balance and equilibrium. And what better time to make a shift than heading into the new year!
The Unnoticed Disruptions in Our Bodies
Minor Physical Irritations
Take, for instance, the annoyance of a growing pimple or an ingrown hair. These tiny irritants are more than skin-deep; they’re signals from our body about clogged pores or hair follicles struggling against skin layers. Similarly, that dry, knotted feeling of mucus lodged in your nasal passages isn’t just a minor discomfort—it’s your body’s way of signaling issues in your respiratory system, perhaps due to allergens or pollutants. (Fun fact: The human body’s way of saying, “Hey, give me a break!”)
Muscular Deterioration Due to Inactivity
With increasingly sedentary lifestyles, muscles that aren’t regularly challenged start to lose their strength. This isn’t just about losing muscle mass; it's about your body processing sugars less effectively, leading to energy dips and potential metabolic issues. When muscles weaken, they compromise posture, balance, and even the ability to manage blood glucose levels. (Think of your muscles as loyal pets—they’ll get lazy if you don’t take them for a walk!)
The Impact of Poor Sleep
Ever woken up with a stiff neck after what was supposed to be a restful night? An uneven sleep position can overstretch part of your neck, leaving discomfort that lingers throughout the day. Sleep isn’t just about how long you snooze, but also how well you rest. When our bodies don’t rest evenly, it disrupts the natural recovery processes, leaving us far from feeling our best. (Who knew sleeping like a pretzel wasn’t the best strategy?)
Nutritional Imbalances
Our diets play a pivotal role in maintaining equilibrium. A lack of essential omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals can leave us lethargic and more susceptible to minor ailments. On the other hand, consuming excessive amounts of sugar, fat, or salt can tip the scales toward “dis-ease,” showing up as bloating, fatigue, or even mood swings.
Mental Equilibrium and Environmental Factors
Cognitive Under-stimulation
In a world that moves faster by the day, our minds sometimes lag behind. When we don’t challenge and stretch our mental capacities, we may feel slow or overwhelmed by the complexities around us. Navigating the nuances of modern communication, subtext, and the ever-changing news cycle requires a sharp and agile mind. (Spoiler alert: It’s not just your brain needing a morning coffee to keep up.)
Environmental Pollutants
The air we breathe has become a conduit for “dis-ease.” Increased levels of pollutants, pollen, and microparticles can lead to respiratory issues and general discomfort. The presence of microplastics is an insidious new threat. Found coating coffee cups or sneaking into our food through fish and soil, these tiny particles represent a new frontier of imbalance we’re only beginning to understand.
Pathways to Restoring Balance
Nutritional Interventions
Embracing Essential Nutrients
I’ve seen many individuals experience the brain-soothing effects of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Initially taken for heart health, many report a pleasant side effect: reduced brain fog and improved cognitive clarity. Vitamin D supplementation is another game-changer. Adequate levels can ease aches and elevate mood, especially in regions with limited sunlight.
Adopting a Balanced Diet
Focusing on a diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fruits and vegetables can make a significant difference. By reducing the intake of excessive salts, unhealthy fats, and high-glycemic foods, we provide our bodies with the fuel they need, without the harmful additives that contribute to imbalance.
Physical Activity
Combating Inactivity
It’s no secret that many adults don’t engage in enough physical activity. Regular exercise doesn’t just build muscles—it strengthens the entire bodily system. Movement enhances circulation, supports metabolic processes, and even boosts mental health by releasing endorphins. (Endorphins: your body’s way of saying, “Good job, you’re crushing it!”)
Starting Small for Big Gains
You don’t need to become a marathon runner overnight. Simple activities like walking, stretching, or yoga can reintroduce movement into your routine, helping to rebuild muscle function and restore balance.
Mental Engagement
Continuous Learning
Keeping the mind active is just as important as physical exercise. Engaging in puzzles, reading, or learning a new skill can sharpen cognitive functions. These activities help us better interpret and adapt to the fast-paced world around us.
Mindfulness Practices
Incorporating mindfulness and meditation can enhance mental clarity and presence. These practices train the mind to focus on the here and now, reducing stress and improving overall mental equilibrium.
Adding Cannabis to a Healthy Lifestyle
Cannabis & Restoring Balance
As research into cannabis continues to expand, it's becoming clear that the plant, when used responsibly and under proper guidance, can be a powerful tool in achieving balance. Whether for managing chronic discomfort, aiding with sleep, or reducing stress, cannabis can be a beneficial addition to a well-rounded lifestyle. In particular, CBD has shown potential for promoting relaxation and reducing inflammation without the psychoactive effects associated with THC.
For example, individuals seeking relief from anxiety or mild pain have found success incorporating cannabis into their daily routines. That said, it’s essential to consult with a knowledgeable healthcare provider who understands cannabis, especially if you're considering integrating it into a wellness regimen. Responsible use, appropriate dosing, and awareness of potential interactions with other medications are all vital in ensuring that cannabis contributes positively to your health.
A quote from The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook, page 141:
The Balancing Quality of Cannabis
The presence of cannabinoids inherently makes us feel more comfortable as they balance hormone signaling and communication. This enhanced comfort is necessary for experiencing good sleep. Think about the body as a pool containing different colored fluids, and each color is meant to flow toward a specific destination and occasionally interact with other colors. Each color represents a hormone, which is a focused signal that allows one part of the body to communicate with another. When these signals are delivered in a healthy fashion, we feel comfortable and have greater access to joy. Yet when there is too much of any one hormone, or color, other colors cannot transmit their signals properly. The result is an imbalance, which is what we feel as pain, sadness, fatigue, anxiety, or illness. Lasting deep sleep depends on having effective hormonal signaling channels. The endocannabinoid system helps to restore hormonal balance, which then facilitates optimal signaling. By supporting the endocannabinoid system with external cannabis, you are helping to bring the excessive colors back into their natural balance.
And from The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook, page 34:
As endocannabinoids are so prevalently produced throughout the body, scientists believe that the purpose of the system is to maintain overall balance, or homeostasis, and keep our internal functions running smoothly. We know that the system impacts mood, memory, appetite, immune function, and nervous system signaling functions. What’s more, the endocannabinoid system is a dynamic, evolving ecosystem that adapts to its immediate environment: the body produces and stores endocannabinoid molecules as needed, and these molecules find their way to endocannabinoid receptors in a steady circadian rhythm much like the rhythms of sleep, hormone cycles, fitness, and nutrition. Whenever we do something that brings us success, we feel a rush of pleasure. In some ways, using cannabis means that we are medicating ourselves with joy- ful molecules. That response is a manifestation of our body’s natural signaling through the endocannabinoid system. When we use cannabis products, the same peacefulness can be re-created from an external tool set that is the same shape and functions as the stuff our body produces naturally, hitting the same receptors. All types of cannabinoids act as messengers: they send signals to receptors. Almost every cell in the human body has receptors for these molecules, and there are between eighteen and thirty different types of receptors. Whether you are chewing on a cannabis gummy, using a tincture, or applying a lotion, cannabinoids find their way to individual cell receptors. On their way to the receptors, some cannabis molecules go through a conformational change, where they are metabolized into different molecules with different interactive properties. Once changed, they can become stronger, while others may become weaker. These molecule changes can allow for binding at different receptors, which may propagate different effects, such as relaxation, increased focus, or appetite stimulation.
Bottom Line
Our journey through life doesn’t have to be hindered by the unnoticed “dis-ease” that subtly impacts our day to day well-being. By observing how some minor annoyances can build to have an impact that can throw off an entire day, by becoming more attuned to these signals, we can take proactive steps to restore our body’s natural equilibrium, and there are tools, like exercise, sleep, nutrition, and guided use of cannabis, that can help.
Take a moment to listen to your body and mind. Where are your irritations? Is it a subterranean pinch of a growing pimple? Is it the ache of underworked muscles? Are there areas of imbalance that you’ve been overlooking? Small changes in diet, activity, mental engagement, and even exploring alternative therapies like cannabis can pave the way toward restoring a body’s natural balance, and can help you feel like a million bucks.
Think of balance like a dance—it’s not about holding the same position forever, but about flowing with the rhythm of your life. By paying attention to your body’s signals, you can create a harmony that supports both your physical and mental well-being. If you’re looking for more ideas or support, don’t hesitate to join the warm and welcoming community here. We’re all about sharing knowledge and experiences to help each other along the wellness journey.
Dr. C: Today’s post was inspired by a reader! Got something you’d like me to tackle? Share it in the comments!
Next Post: Amazing Human Abilities!
Have you ever wondered if you possess a hidden superpower? While we may not leap tall buildings or control the weather, some humans do harbor extraordinary abilities that often fly under the radar. In my next post, I’ll share some of my research exploring these remarkable "natural superpowers"—from the uncanny ability to sense storms before they strike (“I can feel it in my bones!”) to some individuals who can feel magnetic fields shifting around them (well, this IS how some turtles, fish, and birds can navigate huge distances). “I think I can feel a subtle hum of electricity in the air,” and “I’ve always been able to navigate pitch-black spaces by relying solely on sound.”
I’ll share stories of people with heightened perception, like those who seem to know what time it is without ever looking at a clock, or athletes with impeccable balance and body awareness that seem almost superhuman (hello, Olympics!) “Could it be that we all have a hidden talent, just waiting to surface?” Themes of unseen sensitivity, adaptation, and intuition will leave us all wondering: What’s YOUR unique superpower?
Also Coming Up:
I recently interviewed an inspiring 70-year-old patient of mine, a newcomer to cannabis, who successfully resolved her GI issues using cannabis seltzers! After multiple ER visits, hospital stays, and rounds of antibiotics, her journey to relief is nothing short of amazing!
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