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You guys. Something bad happened to me the other day…
I got food poisoning.
*A brief pause for you to go ahead and make that cringe face that everyone makes when they see or think or hear those words… Food. Poisoning.
It was awful. Excruciating.
I was miserably nauseous for the first half and racked with chills, stomach cramps, and body aches for the second half.
And it really made me think about how incredibly fragile these silly bodies we walk around in are. I mean, one bad meal, and for twenty-four hours you feel as though you might die.
But it’s not just some bad mac and cheese that can strike us down, no. Too much sun, too much alcohol, too much activity even. People are constantly exposed to things that can have a negative effect on their bodies and their minds.
And most of the time we’re doing it to ourselves!
I mean… no, you can’t always see food poisoning coming. And you can’t always prevent an athletic injury or a migraine. But some of the other things we’re doing are simply a matter of carelessness.
Regularly overeating, over drinking, not exercising, not drinking enough water, not putting on sunblock!
And lets not forget the equally important (but probably not talked about enough) mental heath.
Not expressing ourselves, not taking time to do what makes us happy, not reading, exposing ourselves to too much stress and negativity!
Wouldn't it be better to treat our bodies with the care and respect they deserve? Click To Tweet
While our bodies and our minds can certainly endure a lot, is it really necessary to force so much onto them? Wouldn’t it be better to treat them with the care and respect they deserve?
“Health isn’t about being “perfect” with food or exercise or herbs. Health is about balancing those things with your desires. It’s about nourishing your spirit as well as your body.” – Golda Portesky
I recently started thinking about my future and what it means to be a thirty something woman in America. And I decided that since I am not where I thought I’d be by now, I should probably take care of myself enough to look and feel good as I get older, since ‘older’ is when I’ll be doing the things I thought I would have already done by now (does that make sense?).
I started putting sunblock on every day – not just when I’m going to the lake. I started making a conscious effort to drink more water, while also drinking less alcohol. I added some new vitamins and supplements to my daily diet and began working out on a regular basis.
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I also made some job changes in an effort to be happier and more fulfilled in my daily life, because I really do believe that emotional and mental health are just as important as physical wellbeing.
And while some (most) of this was in a vain effort to not look or feel my age, I eventually realized it’s really just a good idea to try to take care of my body as much as I can, to ensure that it’s able to withstand the amount of time I plan on using it.
“If you don’t take care of this, the most magnificent machine that you will ever be given… where are you going to live?” – Karyn Calabrese
Now, I’m not a fitness coach or a health expert by any means, so please don’t think I’m claiming to be one. I just think a little less carelessness and a little more conscious effort could probably go a long way towards better health and wellbeing for most people.
In case you’re wondering, I bounced back really quickly from the food poisoning. The next day I was basically normal, back to work and everything, though a little hesitant to eat very much.
I just couldn’t shake the thought of how vulnerable I had been, how easily taken down I was… but in a good way, I think. Because if you’re aware of how fragile you are, if you’re mindful of how your actions can effect you down the road, you’re bound to make better choices and proceed accordingly.
“Growing into your future with health and grace and beauty doesn’t have to take all your time. It rather requires a dedication to caring for yourself as if you were rare and precious, which you are, and regarding all life around you as equally so, which it is.” – Victoria Moran
How are you taking care of your mind and body?
Be sure to pin these great quotes on Pinterest!
Great thoughts, Malissa! Good for you for making these realizations and lifestyle adjustments early in your life–yes, the 30’s are “early”. Love you!
Yes, I’m no where near old yet! 🙂 and neither are YOU!
Thank you Sue! I love you too 🙂
I know how it feels with stomach bugs..sorry about that. As we make changes to live a better life, we should always consider our health..but sometimes we wait until there’s an actual reason. I’m guilty too…Good to know you’ve made some changes… I will adjust accordingly
You’re absolutely right – sometimes, unfortunately, we do wait until we’re forced.
Thanks so much for taking the time to read me comment. 🙂
I like this post, you’ve said some things that I have been thinking about too. I realized recently that I am not in my 20s anymore, and that it takes a little while longer for me to bounce back. I am glad I am having this realization now instead of down the road. Hope you are feeling better.
We don’t eat out and grow and put up almost all of our food. Homemade is best
Oh I would love to be able to grow food! Hopefully the next house I live in has space for a garden. I agree that homemade is best, for sure. 🙂
Thanks as always for reading.
Don’t forget to sunscreen your neck and your hands….
: )
(My advice to people younger than me as I watch my body age.)
Oh my gosh I noticed my hands getting some rather large freckles (sun spots!) last summer! So I’ve really stepped up the sunblock game in all areas! Thanks for sharing that wisdom! 🙂
Isn’t it crazy how we can get knocked down so fast?! Glad yours went away quickly, its so hard as we age…gah, I can’t believe I wrote that :/
Lol. It IS harder as we age. And thank you.
Also thank you for taking the time to read and comment 🙂
Hi Malissa! Dang, the universe must be trying to tell me something…I’ve come across several self-care posts this week, and I am under sooo much stress right now.
What a great idea to add the pin images at the bottom of your post! I will have to borrow that idea 🙂 It got me to pin!
Thank you – that means a lot to me – I’m never sure if the way I have my blog structured it the ‘best’ way, ya know?
And yes – you should probably take the universe’s hint and slow down, relax, and take care of yourself 🙂
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment. I appreciate it!
too funny, i started using sunscreen religiously when i felt like i wasn’t exactly where i wanted to be as i turned 30 too…but regardless of age or where we are these beautiful machines we roll move around need to love and self-care. cheers, great post!
I completely agree – we always need self-care no matter how old or young we are 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment Jessica!
Great article. I actually have been doing the same (my latest birthday freaked me out a little!) and I’ve found just a few small changes like you suggested really had changed up the way I feel. My body is more able to fight those little sicknesses too.
What always amazes me is how sometimes our bodies go into this terrible weak state from tiny traumas like food poisoning, and a mental state like depression can make it physically impossible to do much, yet some people survive literally getting shot in the head.
Oh my gosh you’re so right! That’s just astounding.