Everywhere I go I meet raw food enthusiasts from all walks of life. Some are just beginning their health journey, while others have reached a state of vibrancy and youthfulness that is downright enviable.
They, like me, eat all or mostly raw foods, practice some form of exercise, get plenty of sunlight and fresh air, quality sleep, and strive to be temperate in all areas of their lives, which usually includes occasional fasting. However, I notice at times that there is often a vital aspect of health that is overlooked in our modern, hectic day and age and that is the insidious and all pervasive area of STRESS!
Stress can infiltrate our lives in many different areas: from our jobs, families, finances and yes, even our diet. It can manifest itself in equally as many ways including irritability, anxiety, sleeplessness, restlessness, short tempers, and even depression and apathy. Not all stress is bad, however.
There is the type of stress known as "eustress," which is usually temporary and is associated with positive things in life such as a wedding or riding a roller coaster. (Not necessarily on the same day.)
The other forms of stress include acute stress, which is sudden and intense but does not last long, and chronic stress which would be more akin to the day in and day out stress of dealing with a difficult boss or persistent financial troubles. It is well established by now that stress affects our bodies in hundreds of ways and can bring about physical illnesses such as ulcers, heart disease, depression, hyperthyroidism, obesity and can even contribute to cancer.
The field of study that shows how our thoughts and feelings affect our health is known as 'psychoneuroimmunology'. Say that five times fast! It is the study of how our thoughts and feelings interact with and affect our nervous and immune systems. The information is profound and astounding.
Researchers have concluded that short term stress can actually be a good thing (perhaps that is where the expression 'whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger' came from?) but when it is prolonged it can wear down the body and throw it out of balance considerably, reducing the ability of the immune system to function properly. Long-term negative stress also puts the body in an acidic condition, which contributes to disease as well.
When I realized how utterly detrimental stress and anxiety was to the body, I got even more stressed out trying so hard to get rid of it! That needn't be the case, though. Simple daily practices of deep breathing and meditation can work wonders to calm our minds and hearts and help us to remember what is most important.
Bikram and other forms of yoga are helpful to release tension and help the mind return to a state of calm and focus. When you eat a healthy raw food diet, you will end up having the strength and clarity to do what is right for you and make the necessary changes so that stress does not end up getting the best of you.
On a raw food diet, because the body is cleansed and balanced, you will find that you are much more in tune with the needs of the body and will be able to head off stress before it gets out of hand.
Most importantly, though, we must keep a proper perspective and learn to discipline our thoughts so that we don't end up stressing ourselves out over things that, in the long run, don't end up being that important at all. Let us consider what is most meaningful to us in our individual lives, and let the rest go. After all, you can't take it with you!
If you are interested in learning more about the healthful effects of the raw food diet, there are some good resources available on the internet. Three that I found particularly helpful are: http://rawfoodists.blogspot.com/, http://www.simplyrawbliss.com/ and http://www.kaboodle.com/rawfood.
Author Resource:-
James Beller is a blogger, online publisher and natural and raw food enthusiast. He writes articles for various websites and blogs which promote the raw food diet and natural health such as http://www.beautifulonraw.com.
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