There is a natural cycle the body works on and many of you know the term, the circadian cycle or rhythm.  I am going to simplify the cycle in this entry but I encourage you to ask your health providers about it, or research further on your own time.  This rhythm guides most life on this planet and we are no exception.

Basically, cortisol is the main driving hormonal force behind the cycle which can unnaturally be stimulated with the likes of caffeine, eating and exercise.  The natural trigger for this cycle however, is light.  The rising sun (or your flashing alarm!) gets it revved up where it sits in high gear until just after noon.  It starts to drop precipitously after about 4 pm (siesta time anyone!!) and fading light of the evening (among other factors of course) helps to turn the wheel over to DHEA.  When this stage of the cycle starts to take over we are into the rebuilding mode, repairing the damage done by your daily rigours... particularly important if you have a physically (read exercise!) or mentally stressful day.

The take home message here is if you are planning to exercise, eat or stay up late basking in the glow of your TV or computer, you are stimulating the cortisol side of the system which inhibits the ability of your body to switch into repair mode.  Dim or turn off the lights after dinner at a decent time, try and get to sleep by 11 PM, (I'm trying for 10, but easier said than done!), and realize that your body is supposed to be at peak repair mode (ie. asleep!) between 2 and 4 AM.  Get up early, turn on the lights and crank that body into even higher gear in the morning with some good food and a good bout of exercise after a whole night of rest and repair.

Choose to help your body do it's job staying well! 

Math is what it all boils down to.

We exist and function as allowed by our bodies and realistically,

our bodies are just like modern cars. We need fuel, lubricant and we 

have a sophisticated computer that keeps track of our progress. Where

and when the works are being slowed down, flashing a light at us

(or producing other ways of "alerting us") when there is something wrong.

The math part is what goes in and what goes out. 

Use the best fuels and lubricants and the engine runs smooth,

with minimal hiccups and burnouts. 

The key word in that last sentence is USE, use it or lose it, 

no matter how good the stuff going in is, it will still gum up the works if it just sits there.
The other part of the equation is observation. 

Listen, look and feel how the car is moving and give it a score out of ten. 

When that score goes down, change something! Get a tune up, 

start paying closer attention, seek expert advice and those factors should go back up.

(What goes in - What you use) X Your rating out of ten = Your homeostasis

What is your fuel?  Beyond proper meal timing to maximize your performance and recovery,

in the office or on the field, think about what else you are eating by not opting for whole,

real foods with limited chemical exposure.

How do you use it?  Of course exercise is a big part of this picture, but what are your tasks of daily living,

you might be surprised at how much or how little of your daily life impacts your calorie usage!

How do you feel?  This an often overlooked element in the equation of health and plays on all other factors in the equation more dramatically than many people think.  As such building a realistic self-image and picture of your everyday physiological load that includes psychological 

 What can the people around you suggest that might help balance your equation?

What experts can help you maximize the potential from your choices to stay well?

The reality is, in this day in age at least, many of us are taking or have recently taken prescription drugs or self administered vitamin, mineral or herbal formulae.  In the name of taking more personal responsibility for our health, I encourage you to use the resources at your fingertips and learn precisely what you are taking and how it might impact your daily living, or goals to improve your daily living.

Look at the ingredients and information that comes along with each product you use.  Look at your body and what comes out of it, is there any new visible change in your skin, eyes or mucous membrane health that might coincide with what is going in?

Listen to your trusted health care providers and members of your health team, it is our job to stay in the know about common drug, vitamin and nutrient interactions.  Listen to your body, has your energy, mood or demeanour changed since adding or changing anything you intake, from food to drugs, vitamins and minerals?

Feel better, feel well for the changes you have made and make sure you talk to your circle of care if you don't and make sure that all the members of your circle of care, your health team, take as active an interest in this side of your health as you do!

Resources like Medline Plus and Healthline supply good information but as always, consult with your health team to ensure that what you find online is credible and up to date information.

Choose to Stay Well!