How to Lower Inflammation in Your Body

When it comes down to it, the root of all evil is inflammation. Inflammation triggers a response from your immune system, which let's face it, is dysfunctional (at best). If we can remove, or limit inflammation in our bodies, we should (in theory) be able to mitigate the response by our immune system. So, how do you lower inflammation in your body?

Lower your stress levels

I know, easier said than done. Eliminate key stressors from your life as best you can. But more importantly, develop strategies to better handle the inevitable stress that will come your way. The reality is that there will always be points of stress in our lives. As a huge contributor to inflammation, stress must be dealt with lower inflammation in your body.

Maintain healthy eating habits

Again, easier said than done. Everyone can eat healthy for a day. Most of us can even eat healthy for a week. But maintaininghealthy eating habits is key to lowering inflammation in your body. Science has shown us that there are some types of foods, such as processed foods, that cause an inflammatory response in your body. If we can consistently choose foods that do NOT produce this response, then we can lower inflammation in your body.

Let go of negative thoughts

Believe it or not, there is a link between our emotional health and our physical well being. If we fill our minds with negative thoughts (about others or about ourselves) it triggers an inflammatory response. Fill your life with positive people and positive experiences as best as you can. Accept that some things are out of your control and learn to work with what you can. There is so much about life with PsA that we cannot control. Do you best to let go of the negative thoughts and focus on the calming positive ones to lower inflammation in your body.

Consider forgiveness

Harboring feelings of ill will towards others (warranted or not) can cause an unnecessary emotional response in your body. Consider forgiveness to help lower inflammation and promote healing in your body. Yes, it might not translate directly less sausage digits or swollen ankles, but I’m a firm believer in the fact that every little bit helps. Forgiveness promotes emotional health which translates to better overall health.

Speak with a therapist

If you’ve experienced a traumatic event that you believe could be related to the onset of your psoriatic arthritis symptoms speak with a therapist to work through that traumatic event. Whether it was a physical or emotional event doesn’t matter. There are pieces to work through that contribute to the level of inflammation in your body. Speaking with a qualified professional therapist can give you the necessary tools needed to manage life with psoriatic arthritis.

Lower inflammation in your body

Lowering the inflammation in your body is a complicated task, but with the right tools, there is actually quite a bit you can do. Doing your best to mitigate and unnecessary immune response by your body can go a long way to helping you manage the progression and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.