Blog

July 26

It’s easy to run a little “hot” this time of year; both literally and figuratively. Climbing the summer peak is as if for 100 days we are required to walk steadily uphill in everything we do. No matter how routine the task, it is just that little bit more challenging when our systems are straining to manage the extra load. Of course, it isn’t always (or “only”) thermal strain. Many of us are managing increased work volumes, changes to our routine which can easily add stress (such as kids at home from school), and the always tricky business of ensuring that vacations we often look forward to are as restorative as possible. It doesn’t take much for us to find ourselves run down, achy, or even battling a cold this time of year.

 
There is nothing particularly mysterious or profound here. As we approach the peak of our capacity, even routine stress and strain, which we would normally absorb without issue, can send us toward injury/illness/disease. If the evidence on the subject holds, it’s a reasonably safe bet, for example, that upper respiratory infections will be on the rise in Paris over the next few weeks as the athletes competing there struggle to find the balance between peak workloads and recovery. While we tend to emphasize recovery this time of year by reiterating sleep hygiene tactics, cooling strategies, and low-inflammatory food and beverage choices, a new study that looked at the immune response after exercise in newly diagnosed cancer patients suggests we shouldn’t forget that a little MOVE can go a long way, especially important for those of us who are office based or not doing a ton of physical work. 

A research team in Finland found, in a random sample of individuals, 30 minutes on a stationary bike at a self-selected pace and resistance could kickstart a very specific change in the immune system including ramping up cells known to fight cancer cells and tamping down those known to promote it. It’s not a 1 for 1 of course – being rundown is certainly NOT cancer – but the principle remains; we can use MOVE to ask our immune system to ramp up a bit, and for those of us not already at our physical strain limit, the body typically responds. Or more simply, moderate exercise once again gives us an immune boost.

There are still +/-30 days of unofficial summer (Labor Day is 9/2) and +/- 50 of actual Summer (Fall Equinox is 9/22), that's too long to let our health wilt in the heat. Work in some MOVE and give yourself a boost.

Have a great weekend,

Mike E.