Owing to the fast paced, hectic and competitive environment the current generation is subjected to, they are plagued by health and mental issues. Cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, stress, depression and anxiety are some manifestations of this environment.
But we neglect them and rather focus on how to avoid them.
Research proves that simple changes / inclusions into our daily life can help avoid the impact of these ill effects. It does not take much time or strenuous effort to achieve this. Simply spending an hour and half a day, spread across the whole day, is sufficient. Actively. By actively moving our body for a few minutes, every hour, we can increase our physical health, mental health, energy levels, metabolism, hormone health. This minimum movement will improve our immune system and brain function. It also keeps us mentally active, increases focus and improves productivity.
Working out is not always running on a treadmill or lifting a bar, it can also be something that we enjoy doing, like a dance or a bicycle ride or even a trekking. Any method of movement that you enjoy doing can be a part of your routine.
In recent times from kids to adults all have been overly exposed to social media. Social media not only has a beautiful, supporting appreciating side, but it also has a side which is depressing, criticizing and demotivating. The impressionable youngsters and older adults, to a certain extent, take the information too seriously and start a journey of self-doubt in terms of their looks.
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This side makes people think low about themselves, gradually destroying their self-confidence over factors that one can’t be responsible for. Social media started to destroy the users when it started to set standards for people appearances. Skin complexion was normalized after a whole era of struggle, like wise people are fighting to normalize all body types.
Indulged in social media, we have forgotten that not everyone can have a body of a model or of an athlete. We stopped embracing our natural figure and started to adopt hazardous methods to achieve a perfect body which is practically impossible. Despite knowing the dangerous effects and how impractical it is we follow drastic steps to achieve a body that is labelled perfect by the society.
Behaviour of a self-doubting person:
- “I am fat, I am not perfect”
- “I am so skinny and don’t have a perfect body”
- “With these features I cannot achieve anything”
- “I don’t like myself”
- “I hate looking at the mirror”
Are some questions that people with low self-image ponder over. Those people will go to any extent to achieve a “perfect Body”. They are prone to eating disorders and often compare themselves others. They not only will feel ashamed of their body but will not have confidence to talk their mind or heart as they fear of being criticized on the basis of their figure. They will always feel self-conscious and will always fear of being judged.
Understanding Body Positivity:
Body positivity is a term that means “to embrace all body types”. Chubby or lean, body positivity quotes every figure is beautiful and everyone is perfect the way they are. At its core, body positivity advocates for self-love, self-acceptance, and the idea that every body is valuable, worthy of respect, and deserving of care. Body positivity is such an essential part of human life, which reduces depression and self-hatred caused due to one’s body shape.
One’s body shape is the cause of various reason including genetics, hormone and age. Such factors are completely out of the hands of the individual. Hence setting standards on one’s figure is a pointless and offensive option.
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Despite being chubby people can be fit, while strong people can be lean too. One’s character or potential cannot be judged by their body type.
At the end of the day everyone expects to have a healthy life, having any kind of body must be the choice of the individual.
Body Positivity, misconception:
Like many other helpful concepts, body positivity also has been misinterpreted. A person can be healthy no matter what their body shape, but it is also vice-versa. Despite being muscular and fit, people can be unhealthy.
Fat, muscle, and bone structure are features that can be transmitted genetically. In some instances, people not only gain muscles from working out but also through genetics. A person who barely moves can be fit while a consistent gym rat can be lean or chubby.
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One must learn to embrace their body, but on the other hand one must pay attention to their fitness if their body feels unhealthy.
Being obese or underweight doesn’t come under body positivity. Obesity and underweight are complex body issues that must be taken care of. It is not advisable to talk about body positivity while being overweight than being chubby.
Being overweight is not being chubby or being underweight is not being lean, the health condition makes a huge difference. If health hazards are in a stage where it can be treated by working out, one must include exercise in their routine.
Symptoms of health hazards:
Irrational body aches, sluggishness, tiredness, lack of motivation, feeling depressed, sudden weight gain or loss are some symptoms to name. All these indicated an unhealthy production of hormones or muscle wearing out.
Just like the engine of our vehicle our body must be regularly utilized for long-term health. Giving our body no movement will affect the muscles, bones, organs and hormones which will make our body feel old at a very young age.
Embracing our natural healthy body and treating our body during hazard is the right way to take care of our body.
Fitness: A lifestyle
Fitness must be a lifestyle, quitting half way can never be an option. Being committed to physical and mental well being not only improves health but also cultivates discipline. It is easier and advisable to adopt a movement that we love doing as it entertains us and also keeps us going.
Working out boosts our self confidence and will help us gain a better body image. After a point we will automatically indulge ourselves into fitness. We will start to find joy in it and we will be motivated to move our body. The confidence and motivation we gain while working out will help us to enjoy it.
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To make it even easier we can find a partner. Having a friend or loved one in our fitness journey will help us to push through our limits. We can motivate each other by having challenges, bets and games which will make it even more fun, interesting and effective. We can try their favorite kind of workout and we can motivate them to try our kind.
Conclusion: Embracing a Balanced and Healthy Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is when we feel confident and healthy in our body. Trying to change our genetically gifted body or ignoring our body’s signals of trouble is both unhealthy.
Gaining and losing weight in natural ways without distorting body’s natural form is the way that we need to adopt. To be confident with our body’s internal and external condition is body positivity.
Ignoring either one of those will lead to life threatening dangers. “Your body is not an ornament, it’s the vessel that carries you through life. Embrace it, celebrate it, help it and love it for all that it is.”
Great very informative
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