It’s wild how my body has its own way of reminding me of my age. I miss when I could eat and drink whatever I wanted without the worry of heart burn or indigestion. Or sleep in funky positions without waking up feeling like my neck snapped. Between the natural effects of aging, carrying stress, and sitting for long hours at work, I’ve learned how to take preventative measures to care for my body that feels good to me!

Photo by Alexander Krivitskiy on Unsplash

Body care is different for everyone. The better you know your body, the better the care. I prefer a regimen that cares for my body both inside and out. This includes moisturizing, massaging, stretching, exercising, and doing my best to keep up with a healthy diet.

Moisturize

I’m thankful my mom always made sure to lather me in lotion after every bath as a baby. Now as an adult, it’s a habit I happily continue because it not only moisturizes my skin but gives my body a little spa moment. I don’t need the priciest lotion, just one that’s gentle on my skin and has a nice scent. And for those extra dry areas like my elbows and ankles, a dab of lotion makes all the difference.

Massage

I started getting massages in my mid-20s and learned they’re more than pampering. They keep my muscles loose and lower stress. Skipping them for a few months once left me with a painful knot in my shoulder that made my neck so stiff I could barely move it without feeling a sharp pain. The deep tissue massage to fix it was brutal, but worth it. Since then, monthly sessions have been non-negotiable.

Stretch

Another great thing about massages is that stretching can be incorporated, which loosens my muscles further and improves flexibility. I used to only stretch before exercising, but as muscle tension became severe, I began stretching regularly throughout the day.

Exercise

I’m not the most disciplined with exercise, but I like sticking to simple and convenient exercises like walking and mat pilates. Walking is easy to fit in, whether on my lunch break at work or at home with wrist weights. And mat pilates just requires a yoga mat and YouTube video. Since it’s challenging to find time for the gym, being able to work out at home on my own schedule is ideal.

Healthy Diet

When it comes to food, I can be indulgent (especially with sweets). But I can’t eat like a teenager anymore and ignore the long-term effects. We are what we eat, as they say. Learning that I’m pre-diabetic gave me the push to be mindful of what I eat and just cooking at home helped.

My doctor recommends balancing protein (like chicken or fish), veggies, fruit, and starch (like potatoes and beans), which makes meal planning easier. And while I could definitely drink more water (working on it!), at least it’s what I drink the most.

My Beautiful Body Care Regimen

Moisturize

Massage

Stretch

Exercise

Healthy Diet

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