Health for Mamas in 2020: Food, Sex, and Laughter
Health. It’s such a buzzword right now! We’ve got so many tech devices to measure our heart rate, blood pressure, steps, posture, personal EKG… the list gets longer every year. All these devices can be great, but mamas, let’s step back for a minute. What does health really mean? We can measure data all day long, but if we don’t have the right goal in mind it’s not going to get us anywhere. Your goal can be to rock those pre-pregnancy jeans, but don’t kid yourself that that’s a health goal. That’s an image goal, and there are lots of unhealthy ways to get there, too.
Okaaayyyy…. so, what is health? Here’s my stake in the ground:
Health is having the energy and ability to do the things that you love. Health is feeling strong. Health is knowing that you’re taking care of your body in a way that will allow you to spend more years with your kids. And, I would argue, health is feeling good about yourself.
Those are my health goals, mama. I’m sharing them in case this sounds familiar.
I believe it’s also important to put on paper what health is not, just so we don’t get distracted. I have been guilty of every one of these, so there is zero judgment when you say this sounds familiar:
Health is not taking vitamins and drinking kombucha in the morning, and then eating junk food the rest of the day
Health is not buying stylish new gym shoes, and then only wearing them to go shopping
Health is not trying a new diet every year/month/week
Health is not abusing your body so you look better in Instagram photos
Health is knowing that your body is getting enough of the nutrients it needs, through real foods (and yes, also vitamins and supplements). Health is getting your body to a place where you longer need prescriptions to function the way nature intended. Health isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. It’s spiritual. Health is a habit, not a fad.
So how do you get there, mama?
Healthy eating. Food is a huge part of getting, and staying, healthy. What we put into our bodies can have both an instant effect, and a long-term effect on how we feel, how much energy we have, and what we’re capable of accomplishing.
Healthy living. How are you taking care of yourself day to day? Are you exercising? Are you moving around? Do you get outside and get fresh air?
Healthy everything else. Are you laughing enough? Do you have friends or family that are supportive and listen when you need it? Do you meditate? Are you having good sex? (That’s right, mama. I’m putting it out there. GOOD SEX is a part of being healthy.) Are you drinking enough water? Do you take time for yourself to do the things you love?
Let’s get on this journey together, mamas, step by step. Because when we take care of ourselves, we can take on the world.