Inflammation is a natural response to illness or injury, but sometimes, the body can turn this natural response into a chronic condition. Read on to learn about what causes inflammation, how it manifests in the body, and how you can help your body return to a more balanced state.

What is inflammation in the body?

When you’re dealing with an injury, infection, or disease, your body kicks into repair mode with a process called inflammation. It’s like your body’s natural alarm system, calling for help by sending more blood flow and special chemicals to the area that needs attention. This is how your immune system activates white blood cells to tackle the problem and help you heal. Usually, this healing process wraps up in a few hours or days.

But sometimes, things don’t go that smoothly.

Instead of turning off the alarm, your body can stay in defense mode, leading to chronic inflammation. Many people get stuck in a frustrating loop, experiencing symptoms that drag on for months or even years…seemingly without a clear end in sight.

Identifying Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation is different. It’s like your body is always on high alert because the immune system is continuing to send inflammatory signals, even when there’s no real danger.

Ongoing inflammation can damage tissues and organs over time, contributing to the development of various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), asthma, heart disease, and even certain cancers.

Chronic inflammation symptoms can be harder to identify because they are non-specific, such as:

Fatigue
Fever
Pain throughout the body
Skin rashes
Weight gain
Fluid retention
Digestive disorders
Anxiety
Depression

The symptoms of chronic inflammation are often vague and frustrating—they don’t always scream “inflammation,” making it hard to pin down what’s wrong. Fatigue, persistent pain, and feeling generally unwell can all be signs that your body is stuck in this chronic state. If you’re tired of feeling this way, know that you’re not alone, and understanding the root of your inflammation is the first step to finding relief.

5 things you can do to reduce chronic inflammation

Below we share some products from our store which can relieve chronic inflammation. You can also look at lifestyle to prevent and help with inflammation symptoms.

Adopt an Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Focus on consuming a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish (like salmon), nuts, and seeds. Foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fibre can help reduce inflammation. Avoid processed foods, sugary beverages, and trans fats, which can contribute to inflammation.
Get Support & Try a 30 Day Detox: Most of us understand that fast food, processed food and sugary foods are not what we need. But remember, these foods lock you into a cycle by causing emotional irritation and fatigue, which leads to craving high-energy foods. So how do we break the cycle? Consider a 30-day Detox program through Rosebud Health Store and get support from people who genuinely care about your success! We can keep you on track, set goals and remind you of your motivations with weekly check-ins.
Exercise Regularly: Engage in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga. Exercise helps to reduce inflammation by lowering body fat, improving circulation, and promoting the release of anti-inflammatory substances in the body.
Manage Stress: Stress can creep up on all of us. Habits form over time, and that’s where incorporating relaxing activities comes in. Chronic stress can lead to increased inflammation, which can present itself as bloating, fluid retention, and a slower metabolism. Actively engaging in ‘feel good’ and joyful hobbies will help you lose weight, and sometimes it happens in a matter of weeks. So, let’s take healthy recreation seriously! Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or mindfulness to keep stress levels in check. If you are a busy person (who isn’t?) try swapping out a gym session for a soak in the pool or take a long hot bath and remind yourself of how great you are for doing it. 😉
Get Adequate Sleep: Poor sleep can exacerbate inflammation. Seems a bit unfair, right? We all aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night, but usually, a child interrupts it, or the cat needs to be let in. The fact is that we do need those precious sleep hours to allow our bodies to repair and restore. Scheduling extra sleep usually takes a conscientious effort and sometimes even a bit of planning. Try taking yourself to bed with a good book and making your bedroom your favourite place to be again, just like teenagers do. Like all living spaces, bedrooms hold energy and imprints from their occupants. If you have a restless night, try clearing that energy the next day and set yourself up for a beautiful evening of blissful dreams and deep rest. Revisit decorating with soft scented candles, essential oils, and calming music and create a space that honours you.
Avoid Smoking and Limit Alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to chronic inflammation. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake can significantly reduce inflammation levels. It’s often the first and most important habit to break if inflammation is causing aches and pains. We suggest setting small achievable goals, like a dry month and rewarding yourself with something new with the money you save. Hypnosis through guided meditation can be very effective. If you want support, try booking a private meditation session through Rosebud Health Store. Otherwise, make your intentions to quit known to those around you and plan when you are going to be tempted. If you drink at the end of the working day, replace it with something other than alcohol. Avoid situations where drinking and smoking occur. Life without smoking and a daily drink is still awesome. You can do it.