"I like to move it, move it... "

I've had some time recently to reflect on 2020.  

Have you thought much about it at a deeper level & reflected on the past almost 12 months as we get ready to head into a new year?

I know many hold out hope that COVID will magically go away & that 2021 will bring back the old "normal." 

 

But with that said, I've done some reflecting, mainly with regard to health... because well... that's what I do.  Being as healthy as I can & trying to practice what I preach is part of my everyday life. 

The following post is simply my own personal thoughts & opinions.  You don't have to agree with me.  Or with anything else you read or hear.  Just like changing the radio station when you don't like the song that's playing... easy peasy. 

 

Without sounding political, because that's not the point here... I'd like to say that if you're "living" YOUR life right now based on everything you hear or read, you're doing yourself a disservice. 

If this year, now more than ever, you haven't decided to be YOUR OWN ADVOCATE FOR YOUR HEALTH... you are doing yourself a disservice. 

Your heath is in YOUR hands.  Plain & simple.  And there are ways you can take charge of your body's ability to defend itself against illness.  There are ways you can take charge of your WELLNESS, now & forevermore.   

 

And before you argue that people have died this year, yes... I know.  COVID, specifically, can be fatal... although I also know there's a 99% survival rate.  People die every year for all kinds of reasons.  In fact, my own sister died suddenly of Meningitis... something that is NOT typically fatal, but is contracted in close group settings like dorms or small offices... the environment in which she worked... leaving behind an 8-month old baby.

I get it.

But continuing on.

 

Cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (ie. heart disease and stroke) and lung disease are leading causes of preventable death and disability. As you age, the risks of these health problems increase. Reducing the risk of these 4 chronic diseases is within your control though, as is avoiding viruses this year or ANY year.  And the healthier you are if you contract a virus, the more quickly you may fight it off. 

It's not rocket science.  But here are some great ways to avoid illness:

1. Good nutrition.  Junk in... junk out.  You are what you eat.  It can be confusing to figure out what's healthy & what's not, but a good rule of thumb is lots of leafy greens & lean proteins... reduce your intake of sugar, starches, fats.  There are resources to provide help if you want it.  I've got a pretty good handle on it if you ask. 
2. Exercise.  Move your body.  I'd suggest 5 times a week, but some kind of movement every day is optimal.  Many of us are forced to be sedentary because of jobs that might require sitting on our butts at a computer all day, so it's up to us to be disciplined about scheduling time to workout.  YOU NEED TO BE A PRIORITY ON YOUR DAILY TO-DO LIST.  If you can't afford a gym membership, go take a run or a walk outside.  Group exercise classes are a LOT more fun though in my opinion, and worth every penny you'll pay, because enjoying your workout means you'll be more likely to stick with it!
3. Rest.  One of the best features of our body is that it can repair itself if given the opportunity.  Adequate AND restful sleep is so necessary to recharge, regenerate & repair.  And not just sleep.  If you're an athlete, taking "rest days" is every bit as important as your workouts.
4. Stop smoking.  And NO, vaping isn't ok either.  Second-hand smoke is just as bad if you're living with a smoker & may cause you to have an increased risk of lung cancer and respiratory problems, even if you've never smoked yourself.  Just quit.  Or ask a doctor for help if you can't do it on your own.  Your lungs can repair & go back to a nonsmoker status after 10 years of quitting. 
5. Limit your intake of alcohol.  Not gonna lie.  I drop the ball here sometimes & I'm sure many of us went through at least part of this year with more alcohol than normal.  But it does put you at risk for many kinds of cancer if you're not drinking in moderation, which for women is only 1 drink per day.  Men is 2.  They get all the fun.  LOL
6. Reduce stress.  It's hard on your body & your mind.  People under large amounts of stress can become tired, sick, and unable to concentrate or think clearly. Sometimes, they even suffer mental breakdowns. Prolonged stress can really weaken the body.  Living in FEAR of a virus is the ULTIMATE stress. 
7. Manage a healthy weight.  If you're eating right & exercising, this is likely not an issue.  However, being overweight/obese can put you at significant risk for many health problems & can lessen your ability to fight stuff off.  The general standard for your optimal weight is determined by the Body Mass Index. 
8. Remain social.  Humans are naturally social beings and because of that, it is important to have relationships with family, friends or co-workers.  Isolation from others and loneliness can create more stress, lead to depression and leave the body more vulnerable to illness and disease.
9. Wash your hands.  I mean duh?  Why did this become such a thing this year as if it's shocking new info?  Gross.  Do it all the time.  Every year.  Especially after you use the restroom.  Mama raised a fool if you just learned the benefits of washing your hands this year.  SMH.

 

Can you still get the FLU even if you're already doing all those things... of course.  Can you still get COVID even if you're already doing all those things... of course.  Is that list the answer to all things for perfect health... of course NOT.  But you are greatly minimizing your risk of contracting a virus, preventing illness or chronic disease IF you take your health more seriously & control these "controllables."

 

 

All in all this has been a great year for me personally for so many reasons.  It has even been a great year for me professionally because it forced me to level up, learn to Zoom, and adapt to dancing, yelling and trying to inspire to a computer monitor while in an empty room that used to inhabit other people all doing the same along with me.  All that energy & awesomeness others bring to the room was missing.  Man... was it missing. 

There were days I had to force myself to get up and not stay under the covers in the dark.  The most depressed I felt this year was during "quarantine" back in March/April/May when we weren't supposed to leave our house.  And toilet paper was nowhere to be found.  Honestly, it makes me cry just thinking about it all again. 

 

What kept me going, though, was being with Bryn & forcing her to go take walks with me outside.  (She secretly loved it. LOL) Hopefully my crazy self kept her going too, because she had just been moved home without much warning in the middle of her freshman year at Mizzou & was dealing with her own sadness. 

What kept me going, was heading into the studio... and either having another instructor to dance alongside, jump into their HIGH class, or seeing friend's faces on the other side of the screen.  I literally almost cried every time I'd see everyone pop into the Zoom page... it made me so happy.

What kept me going, was having a community of support... friends, family, loved ones... and NOT completely isolating myself regardless of what we were being told to do. 

What kept me going, was having a boss to remind us that we were "essential."

What kept me going, was knowing that we ALL, regardless of our job or our place in this world, have an impact on someone else... that we are ALL essential.

 

 

Right, wrong, or indifferent... I've tried to continue LIVING my life, to continue to allow God to use me to inspire others, but especially to keep my body MOVING for my own health & sanity.  Movement is MEDICINE. 

And in MY opinion... lack of movement, lack of contact from loved ones/friends/acquaintances... and "living" in fear... will kill all of us in mind, body or spirit before a virus ever can.

Our bodies are designed to move.  WE are designed to be social.

I know there are people who likely disagree greatly with me on all of this and that's ok.

 

If 2020 hasn't impacted you in a more profound way than wearing a mask, though, I hope the new year causes some reflection on how much power you have over your own life, health and well-being, regardless of what's going on in the world around us. 

F.E.A.R... you can either forget everything and run... or face everything and rise.  I know how I’m heading into 2021. 

And on that note... it's time to get off my butt & move it! 

XOXO

Comments

[Julie Tucker-Wolek]

Love this!!