Summer is in full swing again. Here come the pool parties, beach pictures, and your friends posting their vacations on social media. Life is good. On top of that, everyone online looks good. At least it looks that way.
It’s super easy to get caught up in how things look, not how things are. Summer is the time to “shred,” “get fit” and “look good for the gram.” If you’ve heard of the South Beach Body Diet, you know the purpose of these diets is obvious. We want to look good. Because when we look good, we feel good.
Feeling good about ourselves is more complex than it seems. Have you ever seen people who compete for body building competitions eat? Yes, they are in tip top shape. But the way they eat is so disordered that they won’t sustain that way of eating after finishing a show. Diets that aim for muscle definition and leanness tend to be lower in fats. Fats play a huge part in regulating our hormones, keeping us full, regulating mood, and enjoyment in our food. Some muscle protrusion is nice. But not at the expense of your mental wellbeing.
Back to feeling good. What on earth does this mean? Does it mean I get compliments from my friends? Does it mean my friends notice my body changing? Or does it mean I need to be acknowledged for how I look? Validation is huge nowadays. We want to be noticed in a positive way by our peers. But trust me, dieting is not how I recommend you do it.
The way we take care of ourselves is the best way to honor our body’s needs. Have you ever talked to someone who was hungry, tired, or stressed out? Generally, not the most pleasant conversation. I personally like to talk to people who are in good spirits or in a good mood. From my experience, these people generally take care of themselves.
Imagine having a full night’s sleep. Having a quality breakfast. Getting your morning coffee and have your morning stroll. Or being staying in bed until noon. To me, this sounds like a wonderful morning where I can enjoy myself. Not only am I giving my body what I need, but I can enjoy the moment. My mind is not busy. I am not worried about the next thing. What my friends are doing doesn’t matter. This moment is about me. I get to focus on taking care of myself.
Rest and nourishment go underrated. Nobody operates well long-term on adrenaline, sleep deprivation, and skipping meals. Feeling good allows us to work at our best capacity. This is not a luxury. It’s a priority. Notice I didn’t say anything about losing weight or eating a salad. I didn’t mention anything about pictures either.
The way we take care of ourselves will impact our outlook for the day. Life looks a little darker when our basic needs aren’t met. If you’ve ever heard of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, the three basic things we need are food, shelter, and water. We can’t think about things we want to do if we’re starving. Nor can we enjoy company of our friends if we’re fixated on the perfect diet to impress them. These standards strip us of focusing on what works best for us individually.
I really hope you focus on what your body needs and not what social pressures tell you. Being healthy is not a diet. Not a workout. Or a photo. Wellness includes flexibility in what we eat and what we do.