Your body can equally be your best friend or your worst enemy, and by and large this is down to the decisions you make. Damage it enough consistently and it’ll adapt to circumstance. It will get better at handling abuse, develop a stronger pain threshold and mask symptomatic short term issues. Then gradually, over time cracks can begin to form, whilst we are none the wiser. Inflammation starts to build, cells divide and become problematic. Each time this happens, the body continues to adapt and defend, all in the background.

Once the body is pushed to its limits, it’ll inevitably break in one way or another and often this is when sickness and disease can begin to form. For some, this is sadly too late. For others it’s the beginning of a new type of management. The power of prevention should never be overlooked. In a time of increasing pollutants, pesticides, xenoestrogen exposure, drug abuse, and nowadays excessive sugar consumption, environmental factors strongly determine the bodies risk of developing chronic inflammation and abnormalities. What does this mean?

Take a car, this vehicle is yours to keep but from the minute you’re in possession you know it’s the only car you’ll ever have. What things run through your mind? Will it last? What if I don’t like it in the future? What can I do to make sure it’s fully functioning for as long as possible!? You’d be checking the oil, are the tyres pumped? Brake fluid? When you think about it there is quite a bit to consider in looking after a vehicle. But the more you do it, the easier it becomes. In this instance, your body is that vehicle and as with anything, it has a life span. Organs are the components, like the brakes, lights and engine and they need regular care for them to run as efficiently as possible. It may be that you are more pre-disposed to being a certain body-type and genetics plays a part in this, but you can take whatever body you’re given and make the most from it.

When you’re driving down a road and start to hear a rattling sound, it’s a sign you should probably pull over and sort it out. In this scenario you’ve listened to your vehicle and made a conscious action to correct a possible issue. This came about with two intentions. A) you want to get where you’re going B) you pay close attention to your vehicle and want it to stay in good condition. And when you are aware that this is the only vehicle you’ll ever have, you’re far more likely to listen out for any small sign or clue that things are amiss, you’re unlikely to ignore little niggles. Now relate this to your body, typically you might ignore little issues like bloating, tiredness, headaches etc but what if these are the first signs your body is struggling? Look after your car, listen to it, treat it with care and it will take you where you want to be. Movement and freedom are by-products of a well-functioning vehicle and your body is the most important vehicle you’ll ever have.