Skip to main content

Body, Mind, Spirit

It’s a new year and a great time to be mindful about being and staying healthy. Our bodies, minds and spirits are our individual responsibility to take care of and today I’m sharing some helpful tips on how you can do so. Enjoy!
Body - I’d be lying if I said I love working out. I really have to push myself at times because it’s easy to be like, nah, I’m good. But if you want a great and healthy body, you’ve got to stick to a good workout routine. I usually work out 3x’s a week for at least 35 minutes per workout. In my line of work I do a lot of sitting, so some days I feel sluggish and know I need to exercise. I love my body, but whenever I get that sluggish feeling I know I’ve got to get moving. The fall and winter months aren’t excuses to slack off. I believe if you’re good to your body it’ll be good to you. Even if you just do something like take brisk walks, make sure you’re setting aside time to be active. Your body will thank you. What you’re eating also plays a major role in your health. I count calories and aim to keep things healthy (along with some cheat days where I eat whatever I want guilt free) but lately I’ve been experimenting with green smoothies. I know they’re super trendy right now, but after doing a smoothie challenge I thought they were delicious and beneficial enough to make a regular part of my diet. I’ve also experienced the perks from green smoothies, like getting my fruit and veggie intake on a regular basis, boosted energy, and glowing skin. If you want to give them a try I suggest starting off with water, fat free vanilla yogurt, kale, and bananas -- they mix well together. 
Mind – The mind is one of the most powerful things each of us has. Feeding it with knowledge and beneficial information is important. Instead of being glued to our technology and constantly plugged into our devices, stepping away from those things and picking up a great book or going outdoors, spending time with loved ones, and being present are ways we can feed our minds with positivity. A few months ago I pulled back on my social media usage and learned that between working and writing full time, I really didn’t want to waste valuable time and didn’t have a lot of time to be on social media like I used to. There’s nothing wrong with utilizing technology so as long as it’s being used in positive and valuable ways. Just be mindful of what you’re feeding your mind on a regular basis.
Spirit – I’m a Christian and my relationship with the Lord is number one. Making sure that I’m spiritually fed is non-negotiable. Activities like fellowship with my church, actively spending time studying the word, meditation, prayer, and one of my personal favorites, having quiet time, all help keep my spirit in check.
Remember to prioritize your health. Take care of your body, mind and spirit. Also, be sure you’re seeing a physician for regular health check-ups. Ladies should be seeing a gynecologist, and everyone should be seeing a physician for annual physicals and scheduling annual dentist cleanings. It’s important to prioritize yourself and your health. 

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space.  I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...

The Day I Made A Will

When I was a teenager, I remember writing a list of my greatest fears. One of the things I listed was death. Looking back, it was an interesting item to list because inevitably, death is something each of us will face at some point in our lives. Even though it’s no longer a fear of mine, I understand why and how it’s not a comfortable thing for everyone to navigate. But regardless, this past summer I completed a detailed will. I signed it, had witnesses sign it, and got it notarized. As I was getting everything done, one of the witnesses looked at me and said, “You know, it’s just that you’re so young…” I’ve learned that death doesn’t care how young or how old you are. You can be five, fifteen, thirty, or fifty, and it’s still something that happens. Completing my will wasn’t scary. It gave me peace of mind having documentation in place stating my detailed directives and requests. A year ago, I had one of my kidneys removed. It was a surgery that came with risks that were presented cle...

A Taste At Colattao Coffee House

I love checking out new coffee spots. It’s nice to take in a space I haven’t been to before that’s so chill, it makes me want to go back and visit again and again. This is exactly how I felt when I stepped into Colattao Coffee House. The kind customer service, the amazing options, and the aesthetically pleasing décor were everything. The aroma of the freshly grounded coffee beans, along with the sight of their mouth-watering pastries didn’t hurt either. I’ve visited this spot just a few times, and always enjoyed myself, my drinks, and my food. It’s definitely worth the trip. If you’re in the Hampton Roads area and looking for a cool and cozy spot for a solo outing or to meet up with a friend, I highly recommend checking out Colattao Coffee House sometime. You’ll enjoy it!