As a young gal quickly making my way into the real world, I know that our bodies and our body happiness become even farther than the back burner priority in the midst of school, work, social time and the rest of life’s callings. Don’t mistake this as a way to get fit in 24 hours. As I have had to remind myself in the past, and still do to this day, body happiness should be a lifelong priority. No matter the order of your day or the necessities that make up your day, loving your body is for EVERY body. The root of happiness in all things is starting with how happy you feel about yourself. Try incorporating these few things into your daily chaos and watch every aspect of your days become happier.
- DRINK WATER. Seeing this tip used to send my blood into a steaming boil. This is typically one of the first things that pops up on any list of changing anything about your body. But here’s the proven truth: water helps kick false hunger cravings, it clears skin all over your body and not just your face, it flushes your body of things it does not need, and it helps prevent headaches and poor digestion. Invest in a big water bottle that holds at least 32oz and plan on drinking half of your body weight in ounces (the bathroom visits will become less frequent very quickly, I promise).
- SLEEP. This would seem like a no brainer, but many people convince themselves that sleep is of lesser importance than other things happening in the day. I am definitely not suggesting 10-11 hours of sleep a night. Too much sleep is a thing and can work in the exact same way as no sleep. Try and bring your night to a close just 30 minutes earlier than normal. You may get those 30 minutes back the next morning to do anything you may not have gotten to the day before. 7-8 hours a night I promise you will increase your productivity and have much more energy, minus the purply black bags under your eyes.
- BE ACTIVE. Do not try and throw in a two hour sweat session. Being active is so much more than having a gym membership and forcing yourself to pretend like you know what you’re doing. Being active is making time each hour or two to move your legs and get your blood flowing. If it is possible, get up a little earlier and get in a 30 minute walk/jog/strength training. The point of being active goes beyond the six pack and sculpted arms and triggers endorphins that generate positive and happy energy throughout your body.
- DO IT ALL…IN MODERATION. Add some greens into your meals and subtract something processed. Taking extreme measures to “be healthy” leads to relapses and frustration. 80% of what you eat effects not only your physical appearance, but how your body feels on the inside. Look to options that have little, pronounceable, or even no ingredients to guarantee pureness and freshness. But remember to treat yourself to that guilty pleasure just enough to satisfy that craving.
- SOCIALIZE. Even if it’s grabbing a coffee in the morning as you fly to work or class, surrounding yourself with people who make you feel good will encourage good choices and positive energy. If loving your body is tough, talk through your struggles without sounding like a broken record. Help yourself and others will find helping you much easier. Removing yourself from the stress of life’s chaotic priorities will help reinforce the importance of doing things that make you feel good.
Loving your body doesn’t mean it has to be in perfect shape or look better than everyone else. Loving your body breaks the outer appearance and reaches into appreciating the machine that carries you through each day. You only get one, let’s try and make it last until it just can’t stand the happiness any longer.