We are living in a remarkable time where science and discovery are unfolding at a pace never before witnessed in human history. What once seemed mysterious or beyond our reach is now being examined, measured and understood with increasing clarity. Each new breakthrough gently pulls back another layer of the veil, revealing that the human body is far more intelligent, responsive and self-directing than we were ever taught to believe.

As these new understandings emerge, they are quietly reshaping how we view responsibility, health and even our place in life itself. The growing message from modern research is both simple and profound: we are not powerless observers of our circumstances, but active participants in shaping them.

The choices we make each day—how we move, think, eat and respond to stress—carry far greater influence than we once imagined, placing the direction of our wellbeing firmly back into our own hands.

Study and research in these fields is nothing short of amazing. In its unfolding evolution, it continues to reveal secrets about life that before modern microscopes were readily available hid in plain sight. What these “secrets” reveal should not startle any human.

It seems, we as humans, have more control over the status of our physical and mental health, and even our positions in life than previously believed. In other words, playing the “victim role” does not fly in the face of these new studies.

What is even more remarkable is how quickly this knowledge is expanding.

Discoveries that once took decades to unfold are now emerging within just a few short years, giving everyday people access to life-changing information that was once limited to laboratories and universities. This rapid expansion of knowledge is quietly shifting responsibility back into our own hands, reminding us that the power to influence our wellbeing has been within us all along.

New Sciences –

For example, resultant studies from relatively new sciences like epigenetics, link lifestyle behaviours and environmental factors with the way our genes perform. Our personal DNA is essentially a complete instruction manual, however, each cell still requires instructions to its specific duties and that’s where epigenetics comes in. Epigenetics cannot change the DNA sequence; however, it can change how our bodies read that DNA sequence. And, while genetic changes cannot be reversed, epigenetic changes can be.

This exciting field of study places importance on how we live and the habits we endorse daily. It strips us of victim mentality as it directs our “finger pointing” back on us as the creators and sustainers of our lives. In other words, we are in charge as creators and therefore responsible for the results. Whether we want to take the reins consciously or not, playing victim is something none of us can get away with anymore. We may believe we are fooling others when the reality is, the only fool is us and ignoring our bodies cries for help will eventually prove it.

Another relatively new field of medical/scientific study is emerging called “exercise immunology.” This new field of study is considered a sub-division/discipline of sports medicine that expands into a few areas of interest. Among them: the chronic anti-inflammatory impact that exercise/fitness training provides.

According to the book “Lifestyle Medicine” written by Dudgeon Wesley D., Nieman David C., Kelley Elizabeth, this medical discipline focuses research and studies on “the acute and chronic effects of various exercise workloads on the immune system and immunosurveillance against pathogens.”

The Role of Immunity –

The advent of the recent global health crisis that we all experienced to some level, catapulted the importance of personal immunity to the top of most people’s priority list. Many are now acutely aware (if they were not already) of the role immunity plays in keeping their bodies healthy, up and running and disease free.

It is also becoming clear that immunity is not built through a single action or quick fix, but through consistent daily choices repeated over time.

Sleep quality, stress management, hydration, sunlight exposure and meaningful movement all work together to form a protective network within the body. When these simple foundations are respected, the immune system responds with strength and resilience that no medication alone can fully replace.

It is obvious – immunity must be working at peak performance if we want to experience stellar health in return. They go hand in hand – we cannot have one without the other. Low, stressed immune systems can never provide stellar health to anyone while a super charged immune system offers it freely.

Since generations of research into exercise immunology show that our immune systems are highly responsive to consistent exercise training, the answer to keeping them in tip-top shape is not hard to discern. Movement/exercise paired with “right eating” is the formula that works every time.

A lean healthy body, one that leads a physically active and nutrient driven lifestyle, is the only tried and true passage to reducing inflammation at all levels.

Exercise immunology studies do not stop there. They also place focus on how regular moderate exercise is empowered to reduce the risk of getting an URTI – upper respiratory tract infection.

Why is this important? URTI is a seriously infectious disease occurring in humans on a global scale with an excess of 200 viruses resulting in the common cold. Rhinoviruses and coronaviruses top the list 25-60 percent of the time and this truth could not be more obvious than it is right now.

Because regular, moderate physical activity improves immune function, it lowers the risk of a URTI gaining the upper hand. Once again, exercise proves its value in keeping us healthy. Bear in mind that extended hours of hard training by elite athletes is a slightly different story and may make them temporarily more susceptible. However, this is a different class of athletes than most of us can claim to be. Ninety nine percent of us will benefit from consistent moderate exercise that builds our immunity and fights dangerous, chronic types of inflammation.

Bottom line is this: Inflammation plays a major role in multiple chronic conditions and diseases. Moderate exercise performed regularly (moderate works for most of us) enhances immunosurveillance. In other words, our immune system gets a serious boost, and we multiply our health benefits when exercise becomes a top priority.

On the flip side, sedentary lives, meaning inactive lives, leads to an accumulation of visceral fat resulting in the activation of a system/network of inflammatory pathways. A compromised immune system is an open invitation for sickness to invade our body and unhealthy, negative perceptions to cloud our minds.

Beyond the physical consequences, inactivity also quietly affects emotional and mental wellbeing. Energy levels drop, motivation weakens and clarity of thought becomes clouded, creating a cycle that is difficult to break. Movement, even in small and gentle amounts, has the power to interrupt this downward spiral and restore a sense of vitality, hope and personal control that many people believe they have lost.

The new sciences all reveal the same thing, that lifestyles and habits matter as much or more than the genes we are born with.

How wise of our creator to put the controls for how we live, what we think and the level of health we enjoy directly in our individual hands. We can run but we can no longer hide. There are no more excuses, finger pointing, or passing the buck when one truly realizes where the controls are.

All the tools you need to discover and live your best life possible can be found at:

Self-Improvement Gifts  a Library of Free resources that will help you with all your health and fitness needs.