When it comes to healing and overall wellness, we often focus on exercise and diet. However, there are three major barriers to healing that aren’t discussed enough: under-eating, over-exercising, and a lack of time spent in nature. These factors can drain your energy, keeping you in a cycle of stress and hindering your body’s natural healing process.
1. Under-Eating: Fueling the Body for Healing
In today’s culture, many people don’t realize they are under-eating, often due to trends like intermittent fasting or low-carb diets. While these can be effective short-term, consistently not getting enough nutrients can push your body into survival mode. In this state, the body prioritizes basic survival over healing, making it harder to recover from illness or stress. Eating a balanced diet with whole foods that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and energy is crucial for fueling your body’s healing processes.
Do you struggle with fatigue? Take our quiz and find out where your low energy may be coming from!
2. Over-Exercising: When Stress Becomes Too Much
Exercise is generally beneficial, but overdoing it can actually be detrimental to your health. Intense exercise, particularly without proper nutrition, creates extra stress on the body, pushing it into a constant survival state. This can cause issues like weight gain, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. To support healing, it’s important to adjust your workout routine based on your life stage and ensure your body has enough fuel to burn. Additionally, timing matters—intense workouts in the evening can disrupt sleep by boosting cortisol, your stress hormone.
3. Lack of Nature: Reconnecting with the Earth
Spending time outdoors can play a powerful role in your healing journey. Nature helps to regulate our hormones, supports gut health, and even boosts our energy at a cellular level. Simply making contact with the ground, like walking barefoot on grass, can help recharge your body through negative ions that promote proper cell function. If you’re unable to get outside, grounding mats can be a great alternative to bring those natural benefits indoors.
Healing isn’t just about what you eat or how much you exercise. It’s about creating balance. Ensure you’re properly fueling your body, not over-stressing it with excessive workouts, and making time to reconnect with nature. These simple steps can help break the cycle of stress and put your body back into a healing mode.