Self-care is critical for maintaining a healthy body and mind. We only have one body and we should treat it with the love and respect it deserves. After all, our bodies are designed to carry us through decades of life’s adventures. Body care is multi-factorial. Complete body care encompasses skincare, healthy diet, exercise, stress reduction/relaxation, good sleeping habits, vibrant sex life, and wellness, and preventative healthcare. If all of these aspects of body care are balanced and incorporated into our daily lives, we should expect to look and feel our best. Hopefully, these positive daily choices coupled with good genes will help us experience optimal health so we can enjoy bountiful, rich lives.

Ensuring our best health is a personal responsibility. We each have a unique genetic makeup, but we ultimately have substantial control over our body’s destiny. To keep our amazing bodies functioning as they should, we must be mindful of our daily choices. That’s because what we do each and everyday has cumulative effects. We have the power to control ourselves so we can live long, happy, healthy positive lives. But in order to maintain our health, we must make thoughtful decisions about what we consume as well as the environment in which we live. The air we breathe, the foods we eat, the water we drink, the thoughts we think, and the plethora of products we use, all impact our overall health and quality of life.

Skincare:

When most think of body care, skincare likely comes to mind. And that’s not a bad start, because believe it’s or not, skin is actually the body’s largest organ! That means our skin has lots of jobs- it protects, absorbs, sweats and amazingly shows outward signs of our internal health. That’s pretty remarkable if you ask me! First and foremost, skin is our personal armor, serving as our first line of defense. That’s why it’s so important to give it a little extra love and care. Let’s consider other daily choices to optimize and promote healthy body care. Trust me, it’s more than just skin deep!

Healthy Nutrition:

In a perfect world, we should strive for daily exercise, well-balanced meals, maximizing sleep, and a little self-love! But who am I kidding, we can’t all be perfect all the time, but we can certainly try! Committing to positive choices for body care is making an investment in you and your future. To get the best results, you need to understand how your body works and how to keep it functioning like a well-oiled machine. You wouldn’t think of putting bad oil in your car’s engine, so why would you want to treat your body any differently? Don’t we all want to live our best life? We can achieve that by following these guidelines: eat real whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Enjoy lean healthy proteins. If you’re really committed to super clean eating, avoid processed “foods”, which aren’t really foods at all! They are manufactured! If it doesn’t grow from the ground or come from a living animal, it’s made in a manufacturing plant. That doesn’t sound so appetizing or healthy to me! A good rule of thumb is, if you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it! You will soon find that clean eating does your body good. You will feel energized and you will glow! It’s that simple. Who doesn’t want to look as amazing as they feel? Count me in!

Invigorating Exercise:

You’ll have so much energy from your healthy diet, you’ll need to do something to help burn it off. That’s where the second key to great health comes in- exercise. Go for a run, jump rope (tap into your inner child!) do some yoga. Do whatever makes you happy, preferably outdoors! You’ll be rejuvenated by the fresh air and pick up a little extra Vitamin D from the sunshine. Surround yourself in nature and feel its therapeutic benefits (more on that later) Just get moving! Your body will even help cleanse itself by sweating out toxins- your extra reward will be a bright, glowing complexion. It’s a win-win situation! Oh, and one more thing, remember a body that’s in motion, will stay in motion! Your older self will thank you for that!

Stress Reduction/Relaxation/Quality Downtime:

Unplug from technology and reconnect with yourself. Getting in tune with your mind and inner thoughts is an amazing way to take care of your body, too. When we are so busy we need to remember to slow down. Taking a personal day here or there as needed can be just what we need to reset. When we allow ourselves time to decompress and step away from the daily grind, our bodies thank us. We experience a drop in stress hormones which can certainly wreak havoc on our bodies if left unchecked. Get outside, breathe the fresh air and connect with Mother Earth. It’s the perfect way to experience stress reduction and get a little exercise too! Soak in a luxurious hot bath, experience a rejuvenating massage, or blow off steam in a sauna. A relaxed mind leads to a relaxed body. Your inner light will shine through and manifest in a radiant, glowing beauty.

Good Sleep Habits:

Restorative sleep is critical to good body care. We have all experienced brain fog and red eyes after missing out on precious sleep. Your body is trying to tell you to slow down so it can recharge. Tired, red eyes and dark under-eye circles are not a picture of good health. You want to greet the day with clear, bright sparkling eyes! Make a habit of tuning out technology an hour before bedtime. Keep the same sleep schedule every day if possible. Set your thermostat to 65 degrees and enjoy the restful 7-9 hours of sleep you deserve. Your body and mind will reap endless benefits.

Active Sex Life:

A good roll in the sheets is a great way to energize your body. Healthy sex can release an abundance of healthy hormones that make you look and feel incredible. Who doesn’t love the rosy flush after a little loving!

Wellness And Preventative Healthcare:

See your primary care doctor for an annual check-up. Staying ahead of your health is so much better than trying to manage an illness. Physical exams, mammograms, and routine blood work will hopefully give you a clean bill of health and peace of mind. In my opinion, this is the ultimate body care.

Taking care of yourself should be your number one priority. Give these suggestions a try and you’ll add life to your years!