By Jocelyn Visnov
Health is not a one size fits all type of deal.
Why are young girls taught that in order to be “healthy” you need to spend hours doing exercise and drink water but only eat salads so you can be skinny and have glowing skin? While that may be a solid regime for some people, it’s most definitely not the only way to achieve what we refer to as “health.”
Health is not only what you see when you look in the mirror. Being “healthy” should be an all-encompassing term that deals with both your mental and physical health, but also your overall lifestyle and happiness. Let’s address each of these and create a more holistic definition of “health.”
Mental Health
There’s a lot that could be said on the subject of mental health affecting yourself as a whole. But to put it simply: Hot girls take care of their mental health.
There is no instant cure for taking care of the things going on inside your head. Mental health care looks different for everyone. Monitoring your emotions and stressors is vital to keeping your mind in shape. Try a light-therapy lamp if you’re feeling the seasonal blues, or seek out free mental health counseling on your college campus. While it may be a little uncomfortable, discussing your mental health is becoming increasingly less of a taboo.
Let’s continue to lessen the stigma around mental health by starting a conversation and seeking out help when needed. Mental health is just as, if not more important than your physical health. Be kind to your mind!
Physical Health
A more traditional aspect of “health” but still an important one. You only get one body, be kind to it! As with anything, remembering to take all things in moderation is important for your physical wellbeing. Yes, doing some form of physical activity is important. It keeps your heart pumping and your blood flowing. Finding forms of exercise you enjoy (walking, dancing, running, yoga, just to name a few) can be so rewarding. But getting adequate rest and nourishing your body with food you actually enjoy is vital to your physical (and mental) wellbeing.
Fostering a balanced relationship with food and exercise will do you so much good. So yes, eat your greens and go on hot girl walks when you want to. But don’t forget to eat pizza and stay on the couch to rest and watch Netflix. You can absolutely do both.
Lifestyle
Looking in the mirror can be tough sometimes. It’s okay to not always love what you see. Learning to accept and appreciate your body for all it does is a difficult journey. But your legs carry you through life no matter what size your jeans are.
Maintaining balance in your everyday life is SO important! All things are better in moderation. From your diet, social media intake, activity level, time you spend surrounded by others versus time you spend alone, work vs life, managing your finances, nothing should be taken to either extreme. Do what makes you feel good, and remember that self-care is not selfish.
Overall Happiness
Are you feeling fulfilled? Do you have people in your life that build you up and make you feel good about yourself? Personally, I think feeling confident and comfortable in your life and your relationships is so important to your overall well-being. Whether it’s the relationship you have with your body, your family, your friends, your co-workers, or significant others, or any number of other aspects, all relationships that can have either a positive or negative impact on you. Fostering a life that makes you feel happy and fulfilled can be tough, but it will be so worth it in the end.
If there’s something that is having a negative impact on you, address the problem and move forward with a plan. “Health” is SO much more than just your physical appearance. Health is about taking care of your whole self and living a balanced lifestyle that makes you feel fulfilled and happy.