In today's fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and wellness is more important than ever. With the constant demands of work, family, and other responsibilities, it's easy to let self-care fall by the wayside. However, nurturing our well-being is essential for leading a fulfilling and balanced life. In this article, we'll explore some practical tips and strategies for nourishing your wellness journey.
Mindful Eating: One of the cornerstones of good health is proper nutrition. Instead of mindlessly consuming whatever is convenient, take the time to nourish your body with wholesome, nutritious foods. Incorporate plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins into your diet. Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite, paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, and avoiding distractions like screens or work during meals.
Regular Exercise: Physical activity is not only beneficial for our physical health but also plays a significant role in our mental and emotional well-being. Find activities that you enjoy and make them a regular part of your routine. Whether it's yoga, jogging, dancing, or swimming, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. Not only will exercise help you maintain a healthy weight and strengthen your body, but it can also reduce stress, boost your mood, and improve sleep quality.
Prioritize Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body and mind to recharge. Create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down. This may include activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. Limit exposure to screens and electronic devices before bedtime, as the blue light emitted can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can have a detrimental impact on both physical and mental health. Incorporate stress-reducing activities into your daily life to promote relaxation and resilience. This may include mindfulness meditation, yoga, tai chi, spending time in nature, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. Learn to recognize signs of stress in your body and mind, and develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage it effectively.
Cultivate Social Connections: Human beings are social creatures, and strong social connections are vital for our well-being. Make time for meaningful interactions with friends, family, and loved ones. Nurture relationships that uplift and support you, and don't hesitate to reach out for help or companionship when needed. Connecting with others can provide a sense of belonging, reduce feelings of loneliness, and contribute to overall happiness and fulfillment.
Practice Gratitude: Cultivating an attitude of gratitude can significantly impact your outlook on life and overall sense of well-being. Take time each day to reflect on the things you're thankful for, whether it's small moments of joy, supportive relationships, or personal achievements. Keep a gratitude journal or simply make a mental note of what you appreciate in your life. Focusing on the positive can help shift your perspective, reduce stress, and foster a greater sense of happiness and contentment.
Remember, prioritizing your health and wellness is not selfish—it's an essential investment in yourself that enables you to show up fully in all areas of your life. By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can nourish your wellness journey and cultivate a life of vitality, balance, and fulfillment.
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the thing is israel basically belongs to the united states. it is funded by our government. they test weapons for us. when the us defends israel it is not defending a sibling nation where there might be room for them to break away or disagree, it is defending its own military interests. i think this is important for understanding why the states are acting this way and to make it clear this is something US citizens are directly involved in, as much as any other cruel, imperialistic war we are told to support, only to be apologized for as wrong decades later. you can apologize for the deaths once you have already benefitted from the deaths. that is how these things go but it is always essential to fight that pattern because we already know how it ends if we were to let it play out. none of this is new, for all the claims of complexity, it is the same old playbook and we must recognize it for what it is and fight it as we would any other demand for crimes against humanity in the name of "peace". learn from the past, learn from each other, learn from those who have been fighting this struggle longer than we have been alive. mass opposition to US imperialism, to settler colonialism, to """justified""" genocide is the only way.
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Today my therapist introduced me to a concept surrounding disability that she called "hLep".
Which is when you - in this case, you are a disabled person - ask someone for help ("I can't drink almond milk so can you get me some whole milk?", or "Please call Donna and ask her to pick up the car for me."), and they say yes, and then they do something that is not what you asked for but is what they think you should have asked for ("I know you said you wanted whole, but I got you skim milk because it's better for you!", "I didn't want to ruin Donna's day by asking her that, so I spent your money on an expensive towing service!") And then if you get annoyed at them for ignoring what you actually asked for - and often it has already happened repeatedly - they get angry because they "were just helping you! You should be grateful!!"
And my therapist pointed out that this is not "help", it's "hLep".
Sure, it looks like help; it kind of sounds like help too; and if it was adjusted just a little bit, it could be help. But it's not help. It's hLep.
At its best, it is patronizing and makes a person feel unvalued and un-listened-to. Always, it reinforces the false idea that disabled people can't be trusted with our own care. And at its worst, it results in disabled people losing our freedom and control over our lives, and also being unable to actually access what we need to survive.
So please, when a disabled person asks you for help on something, don't be a hLeper, be a helper! In other words: they know better than you what they need, and the best way you can honor the trust they've put in you is to believe that!
Also, I want to be very clear that the "getting angry at a disabled person's attempts to point out harmful behavior" part of this makes the whole thing WAY worse. Like it'd be one thing if my roommate bought me some passive-aggressive skim milk, but then they heard what I had to say, and they apologized and did better in the future - our relationship could bounce back from that. But it is very much another thing to have a crying shouting match with someone who is furious at you for saying something they did was ableist. Like, Christ, Jessica, remind me to never ask for your support ever again! You make me feel like if I asked you to call 911, you'd order a pizza because you know I'll feel better once I eat something!!
Edit: crediting my therapist by name with her permission - this term was coined by Nahime Aguirre Mtanous!
Edit again: I made an optional follow-up to this post after seeing the responses. Might help somebody. CW for me frankly talking about how dangerous hLep really is.
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if you're a recovering addict, i want you to know you're doing good.
you didn't use today? you're doing good. you used recently and you're still recovering? you're doing good. you sought support today? you're doing good. you practiced harm reduction? you're doing good. you want to relapse and haven't? you're doing good. you're getting involved, even if others are doing more? you're doing good. you're resting today? you're doing good. you're alive? you're doing good.
this shit takes time. you have spent a considerable amount of time doing harmful things to yourself, or others. you're not going to change overnight. all you can reasonably do is get through the day, adding as much good to your life/the lives of others as you can. it doesn't matter what happened yesterday, or what's going to happen tomorrow.
all you have is this moment, and if you're on the path of recovery... you're doing good. this is your story. not someone else's. not some idealized version of yourself. it's yours, just as you exist, right now. that's all you have, and all you need.
keep going. you got this. i'm glad you're here (and so is everyone else who interacted with this post).
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i learned that sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children. This myth is based on a single 1978 study; no subsequent study has shown a relationship (x)
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