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UNDERSTANDING
Living with an autoimmune condition is no easy feat; fatigue, inflammation and pain are often among its symptoms. But one natural approach that’s quickly garnering praise for improving quality of life: exercise. Physical activity has proven its ability to both relieve symptoms as well as promote well-being among those living with these disorders.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune disorders occur when our immune systems mistakenly attack healthy cells instead of attacking harmful ones, commonly seen with:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis Psoriasis Type I Diabetes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease can all have devastating side-effects on health. Each condition affects the body differently; however, chronic inflammation and immune system dysregulation are at its core. Exercise for autoimmune disease has shown profound benefits across-the-board.
Why Exercise Matters for Autoimmune Conditions
Many living with an autoimmune condition worry that exercising may make their symptoms worse; on the contrary, studies reveal that regular, moderate physical activity helps regulate immunity and decrease inflammation levels – physical activity helps:
- Reduce joint stiffness and muscle pain
- Improve cardiovascular health.
- Improve mood and decrease anxiety
- Promoting better sleep
Supporting weight management - Low impact exercises may be ideal to decrease inflammation, improve energy, increase flexibility and support immunity health in those living with an autoimmune disease.
Here are some low-impact forms of physical exercise which have proven particularly successful when managing these illnesses:
- Walking
Walking can be an excellent way to stay active without straining joints and improve cardiovascular health while lifting your mood. - Yoga
Yoga emphasizes flexibility, breath control and mindfulness practices which have proven particularly helpful in alleviating stress while increasing joint mobility. - Swimming
Swimming workouts provide full-body movement without undue joint stress, making this form of fitness activity ideal for conditions such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. - Tai Chi and Qigong These ancient practices involve slow, deliberate movements with deep breathing that is known to balance energy, improve coordination, and decrease stress–making them ideal treatments for those living with an autoimmune disease.
- Strength Training
Lifting light weights or resistance bands regularly is one of the best ways to maintain muscle mass and protect joints. Just make sure that you start slowly with proper form in mind!
Exercise safely when managing an autoimmune condition Since symptoms associated with an autoimmune condition may change from day to day, it’s crucial that you listen to what your body needs from exercise. Below are a few guidelines on exercising safely:
- Start slowly and gradually increase speed of improvement.
- Always allow for warmup and cooldown time before exercising or recovering from injury. Take time out to prepare and recover.
- Remain hydrated — many autoimmune conditions lead to dehydration.
- Rest when necessary; it is acceptable to forego exercising during an acute flare-up of symptoms.
- Partnership can help. Consulting a physical therapist or personal trainer experienced with chronic illnesses will allow them to customize a program specifically for you.
Long-Term Benefits of Consistency Consistent physical activity has many long-term advantages for managing autoimmune disease, including:
- Reduce inflammation markers in the blood.
- Improve energy and endurance
- Reduce dependence on medications
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Gradually incorporating regular physical exercise into your lifestyle can significantly enhance your ability to manage disease.
Final Thoughts
Autoimmune diseases may feel unpredictable and overwhelming; exercise provides an effective and proactive solution. From walking and yoga classes to swimming lessons and strength training regimens, exercise provides multiple safe ways for patients with these chronic illnesses to stay active and promote healing. When selecting activities for healing purposes it’s essential that these support energy levels while providing necessary relief from symptoms.
By including low-impact exercises for autoimmune disease to decrease inflammation, increase energy, improve flexibility and boost immunity into your wellness strategy plan, you are not only managing symptoms – you’re building a stronger and healthier you.
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