As if you didn’t have enough stress. You’re tired, overworked. You wish you had a nicer body.
Maybe you’re overweight, burned out — perhaps even ready to quit that job of yours that you keep complaining about.
Sure you have things to be grateful for — but it’s not so easy to feel that way when the demands of life don’t give you a lot of free time to just relax, let alone exercise or take the time to prepare healthy meals.
Relationships are suffering, especially the one with yourself — and the real icing on the cake is that one person in your life who seems so healthy it sometimes just makes you sick.
The one probably having you read this article right now.
Even if your life doesn’t look quite so bad, this person may still exist for you.
And even when you feel like you’re in a pretty good place, there’s always someone making healthier choices or being a happier, more positive person and sometimes this can be frustrating when you may be struggling to make changes to lead a healthier life.
It’s important to look at where this all stems from. To get a little philosophical around the subject, this resentment can be described as a reflection of your own resentment of your own health.
(“We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are.” — The Talmud)
Maybe it’s you that is making you sick.
People inherently have a deep desire to want to be happy and healthy, so if other people make you sick for their healthier lifestyle, it may be time to reflect on some of your own choices.
The idea of just eating a salad may seem so farfetched to many, but there are always small steps that can be made towards change.
Choosing to drink more water — even just a litre upon rising — or to go for a walk and be more active.
Maybe just packing a sandwich instead of eating fast food for lunch would be a big step for some. That’s fine too.
Maybe a step would be to have two beers instead of five. Perfect.
Or maybe it’s time to dig deeper, dust off that gym membership and start sweating — Eye of the Tiger style.
Whatever struggles you may find yourself having, be sure to write them down.
Then write down some goals just for the next month of things that you might be able to shift in your life. Maybe it’s your turn to clean out the cupboards, start a food journal and start looking towards taking action to be a healthier person.
Take the time to reflect on the whole purpose of being healthy — to better manage those stresses and build healthier happier relationships, including with yourself.
Peanut Butter Banana Ice Cream
3 cups chopped frozen bananas
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp peanut butter
½ cup almond milk
¼ cup honey (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp sea salt
Blend and serve with some melted dark chocolate. Store in freezer.
Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Thursday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.
Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Wednesday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.