It's Your Body, Take Care Of It

I’ll be honest, taking care of your physical health is a lifelong commitment. Unfortunately, you can’t just work out and eat right for a couple of months, get fit and then decide to never do that again. That’s not how that works.

Your body is always changing, so you are often tasked with adjusting your routine and lifestyle to fit said changes.

Here is how you can take care of your physical health:

• 1. Stay Hydrated
• 2. Be in Motion
• 3. Eat nutritious meals
• 4. Sleep and Sleep some more
• 5. Beware of Substances
• 6. Take a Break

Stay Hydrated

Did you know what your body can completely break down and just stop working if you choose to stop drinking liquids, specifically water? It’s not a pretty look, your body will completely change, and it won’t take years for it to happen either. Drink your water.

I am a person that used to struggle with drinking water, so I completely resonate with those of you who do as well. It wasn’t until I had an unexpected ER visit that caused me to drink more water. To this day I carry some form of water with me. So, how’d I do it?

I hate the bland taste of water, it’s odd to me, but put a lemon slice or two in there and I’m sold. Not to mention lemon water has its own benefits. In addition to this, I started setting a timer for each hour on my smart watch where I would drink a generous amount of water. I also had a water bottle with time stamps on it that assisted with this. As this became the norm, I stopped using my timers and just reaped the benefits of water.

Be in Motion

Staying active comes in many forms. Personally, I hate exercising, specifically weight lifting. The burn isn’t for everyone. But! I love speedwalking and running. Cardio is much more fun for me than weight lifting. It really depends on your physical health goals.

I understand there are individuals out there who have a difficult time being physically active, but there are plenty of workouts that you can do from the comfort of your bed, home, or chair. As long as you are able to move about, you can ensure great health.

Eat Nutritious Meals

Look, I love a good chick-fil-a sandwich as much as the next person. However, eating that every single day would not do great things for my body. I would be sluggish and sleepy all the time, not to mention, bloated. No thanks. Don’t get me wrong, though, I can and will treat myself at least once a month.

In the United States, people’s relationship with food can be quite troubling. I used to be someone who used food for comfort, and I paid the price for it, but now, I understand that food is a source of energy.

You don’t have to overwhelm yourself counting calories and weighing your food. As long as you are getting your vegetables, fruit, grains, carbs, and most importantly, protein in, you should be good. For a more in-depth look, reach out to a dietician or your provider as they can help you create a plan that’s just for you.

Sleep and Sleep Some More

Imagine constantly being awake. No rest, just constantly on. Oh, the horror.

Check out this video on what would happen if you stopped sleeping.

As mentioned in the mental health section, sleep is integral to your overall health. If you are working out, how can your body have time to heal? 7-8 hours of sleep is necessary for our bodies to function so create a schedule and stay on it.

Beware of Substances

We all have those times when we want to unwind and go out for a drink with our friends, but too much of anything is a bad thing. Drink in moderation and avoid hard substances.

If you are struggling with substance abuse, please look at our resources and seek professional help.

Take a Break

You can be the healthiest and hardest working person on the planet, but if you do not take a break, you will struggle. There is no shame in saying, “hey, I need to stop, step away, and relax.”

There are people who die from overworking. Don’t shorten your lifespan for anything. Do something relaxing and take a break.

Conclusion

Our bodies are not made out of stone. Taking care of our physical health can affect the way we function. If you want to be fatigued and sluggish all the time, ignore your physical health, but if you want to be the best version of you, try to take good care of yourself.

I see it like this, you wake up in your body and go to sleep in your body, isn’t it best to treat it well?

Written by Doreen Chirwa · My Growing Pains