“My body is my temple.” “You are what you eat.” “A healthy mind in a healthy body.” These are sayings we’ve all heard and truths we all know. Sadly, few take this mantra seriously.
Here’s how we actually live:
Fast-paced and dynamic. We’re even proud of it. We eat on the go because we “don’t have time.” We neglect our body’s need for rest because that’s cool and trendy.
We replace vegetables and meat with burgers, blanched fries and processed foods (it’s not right to call it “meat”). We guzzle fizzy drinks and sugary juices instead of reaching for a simple bottle of water. During the day, we smoke at every opportunity and drink coffee after coffee. In the evening, we make sure to pour ourselves a glass (or five) of alcohol. We need it. We don’t get the vitamins we need and hunch over our computers. So what? We’re young, after all!
What if your body could talk? What if it could tell you how it feels and what it thinks about what you do to it every day? What would it say?
Actually, it does—but we don’t listen closely. Your hair falls out more than expected, your skin looks grey, your nails are thin and brittle, you tire easily and often get headaches. Not to mention that everything annoys and stresses you out. These are your body’s signals. It’s desperately trying to tell you that it hates your chaotic lifestyle and is asking you to take care of it.
If you’re not sure how, we have an idea.
Change your diet
Not for vanity, but purely for your health. Food fuels our bodies with energy. Poor-quality food is like poor-quality fuel. Your car will still run, but it’ll sputter and won’t take off. Calculate your body mass index based on your age, sex and weight. Find your ideal weight and how many calories to consume each day. Put together a varied menu that’s good for your body. If you’re finding it difficult and don’t know how to combine protein, carbohydrates, fats, vegetables and fruit properly, you can turn to a fitness or nutrition expert to create a personalised meal plan for you. Run from fried foods, pastries and sweet treats as if they were the plague, and cross fizzy drinks and fruit juices off your menu for good. Start with Coca-Cola. Today. Don’t forget water. It can take just two weeks to settle into a new, healthy routine. That’s a small price to pay for what you’ll get in return.
Read more: Intermittent fasting: What is it and how can it help me?
Get moving
Not everyone aspires to be the next bikini fitness champion in the country, but everyone wants to look good. A toned, fit body is simply more attractive. Human nature. What can you do? Age doesn’t matter when you exercise. It has a positive effect on both your confidence and your health. Working in an office for 9–10 hours a day in front of a computer takes a toll on our bodies. The main consequence is inactivity. Set aside a few hours for exercise during your work week. Any kind of exercise. And if you’re serious, visit your local gym or arrange with a colleague to try group classes yoga, Pilates, or CrossFit. At the end of the workday, exercise will give you a boost of energy and help you stay in shape, while getting your metabolism working better. Plus, you’ll fight those extra inches. Everyone has them.
Read more: Active Life After 40: Mission Possible
Pamper Your Body
You love to indulge your senses, don’t you? A taste, a scent, something a little hotter. Think of your body as another sense that needs attention and kind gestures. For example, modern fitness clubs have spa areas, which we believe are an absolute necessity, not just an “extra.” The sauna is a wonderful way to indulge yourself while benefiting your body, too. Just 15 minutes will help clear out some of the toxins you’ve accumulated during the day, while deeply cleansing your pores and restoring your skin’s color. Another bonus is fat burning. If you visit the sauna after a workout, the effect will be even greater. And let’s not forget that time in the sauna is incredibly relaxing and gives you some much-needed time to yourself.
“Take care of me. We’ll be together for life. Don’t leave me to chance, like you don’t do with your career and family. Prevention is the surest way to keep me calm and healthy. Start living an active, healthy life today, and I’ll thank you tomorrow. Don’t wait until Monday or the first day of a new month, and I won’t wait to make you happy.”
With gratitude,
Your body
Learn more facts about your body: 13 Fascinating Facts About the Human Body