The rise of the Self-Love Movement is, I think, a clear indicator of the positive aspects of social media. From body positivity to mental self-care, people are encouraged to accept themselves for who they are, and I think that is absolutely wonderful. However, I think that this movement is forgetting a very important aspect of self-love: taking care of our bodies. Eating healthy and exercising regularly is one of the best things someone can do; it has so many long-term physical and mental benefits. Living a healthy life doesn’t even have to be hard. Here are three simple ways to treat your body the way it deserves:
Drink Water:
Not soda. Not caffeine. Not juice. Water. Water is so beneficial, but so overlooked. It is literally magic. Drinking a lot of water has so many advantages such as increasing energy and relieving fatigue, flushing out toxins, improving your skin, boosting the immune system, and so much more! If you get tired of the tastelessness of water like I do, try cutting up lemons and putting them in your water. It tastes amazing, and you get some of the vitamin C that your body needs.
Eat Healthy:
I’m not saying live on kale and kale alone, I just mean substituting unhealthy food with healthier options. Trade that steak in for some fish. Grill your chicken instead of frying it. Eat more home-cooked meals. Try to stay away from fast-food as much as possible. I know, I know, a plate of fries is more appetizing than a plate of salad. But, think about it. Fries are literally empty calories. They have unsubstantial nutritional value. A salad, or even a vegetable lasagne, taste just as good (they really do), and can give your body all it needs.
Exercise Regularly:
I’m not talking about lifting weights or running ten miles a day, though if that’s your thing, that’s completely fine (admirable, even). I just mean going out for a walk. Or jogging through the park. Taking a yoga class. Picking up a sport. Anything that keeps you active, and gets your heart rate up for at least twenty minutes is all you need.
The goal of adopting these habits is not to fit some beauty standard. It’s not even necessarily for the purpose of losing weight. It’s to practice self-love by taking care of your body. Try doing these, even if it’s just for a month, and see how you feel. Your body will thank you.
