you must honor and respect your body
“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos — the trees, the clouds, everything.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
Our bodies are our vehicles while we live on this planet. However, on several occasions, we simply forget to respect and honor them, and thus cause them harm in the long run. There have been numerous times where I have pushed myself very hard and later ended up regretting as my body suffered and tolerated pain which could have been easily avoided.
Yes, there are times when we have to subject our bodies to pain in order to grow, whether it be at the gym or working on our business or work. But we have to be mindful and not go overboard. In our society, “pain” is given a noble status, and we all go by the notion of “No Pain, No Gain.” Pain is good for growth, but we should not spend much time in its vicinity. Growth happens between discomfort and pain. Pain can be addictive, so refrain from it whenever you can and gently guide yourself towards better emotions with the eventual goal of feeling good.
We have to make sure to develop exercise and fitness routines for optimum health. It is our responsibility to make sure our bodies are in the best working condition. Vitality plays an important role in achieving any kind of success that we want in our lives. Choose one activity that makes you feel good and helps you burn calories, whether it be lifting weights, running, or group exercise classes offered at the gym, and do it religiously and consistently.
Along with exercise routines, it’s crucial that we eat a healthy and balanced diet. We have to stop thinking of unhealthy food as a source of pleasure, and treating it as a reward of some kind. Once in a blue moon, we can satisfy our cravings, as we are not burdened by guilt, but repetitive consumption will do us more harm than good.
Food is our fuel, and we have to make sure that we eat foods that empower our bodies and give us energy that is long-lasting. In the book How Not to Die by Dr. Michael Greger, as well as documentaries like Forks Over Knives, Food Inc., and Vegucated, there is plenty of evidence that supports the fact that a whole foods, plant-based diet is the best choice that we can make for our bodies. Along with a healthy diet, having an adequate amount of water and a good night’s sleep daily are vital for our health and well-being.
It’s wise to always listen to our body. Oftentimes, we hustle so hard and become so engaged in our daily activities and tight schedules that we stop paying attention to it. Don’t push yourself hard when your body is not willing to participate. Sometimes, the best idea is to pamper ourselves. Take a nice bubble bath or go for a massage. Your body is your temple, so always respect and nourish it. Remember, life is a marathon, not a sprint.
