The 4 pillars of perfect (or good) health

Good health is our most precious gift and yet it’s something many of us take for granted until it fails. If you’ve recently started to feel unwell, be it due to a condition or simply burning the candle at both ends, it’s time to step back and take stock. You can’t overhaul just one facet and expect to feel better. If you’re to truly remain in good shape, you’re going to have to address all aspects as they have a knock-on effect on the other.

To explain, at Health Renewal, we believe there are four essential pillars – gut health, nutrition, stress management and exercise – and each is balanced on a foundation of good quality sleep.

Take a look at your tummy
Your gut contains a huge and varied ecosystem of both good and bad bacteria. When there is more bad bacteria than good – this is what’s known as dysbiosis, a very common condition that’s essentially fast track to laundry list of disease. These aren’t just limited to gastric conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer either. Research has shown that living with an unbalanced gut can also rock your immune system and cause metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes and eczema.

Fortunately, at Health Renewal, we can run several tests to find out the state of your gut. If it’s not in good shape, our doctors can prescribe medication and nutraceuticals as well as advise on a healthy, balanced diet to help restore the balance.

Learn to manage your stress
In today’s fast-paced, high pressure environment, it’s hard not to feel stressed out, but it is important that you learn to manage it. If left unchecked, it can also have a negative impact on your health. Studies have shown that ongoing exposure to cortisol, the stress hormone, can increase cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. In short, all the “ingredients” for heart disease.

Again, our Health Renewal doctors can help by advising on the kind of nutraceuticals that help with a high-pressure lifestyle. They can also prescribe hormone replacement therapy, if needed, to correct the imbalance that can occur from prolonged exposure to unmanaged stress. Lastly, they’re going to suggest you pull on your trainers or whip on a pair of yoga pants to take care of that fourth pillar – exercise. As it turns out, it’s still one of the most effective ways to help you regain a sense of calm with the added bonus of a leaner, fitter physique!

Sleep is your super power
Last, but not, least, let’s not forget about our pillars’ foundation – deep, restorative sleep. If you’re not getting enough of it, it can create an imbalance in your gut (yes, really!), increase your risk of eating junk, send your anxiety through the roof and hit snooze instead of head to the gym. You’ll also get to “enjoy” the added benefits of an increased risk depression, heart disease and stroke.

If you’re struggling to fall asleep, can’t stay asleep or simply wake up feeling exhausted but aren’t sure why, you’ll want to get in touch with Sleep Renewal. The clinic’s cutting-edge sleep studies can help diagnose conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome and insomnia as well as prescribe effective treatment.

Ultimately, if you’re wanting to improve every aspect of your health, The Renewal Institute can help you do it. Together, we can help you feel your very best!

This post was sponsored by Skin Renewal.