Creating your “ideal self” has been a rapidly growing lifestyle. Pinterest boards, social media platforms and influencers constantly promote fitness, self-care and wellness aesthetics. Although this was originally a positive trend on social media and for those participating, it has developed into an unrealistic and obsessive way of living.
We have turned health into an all-or-nothing ordeal.
Making changes to improve your overall well-being is healthy, but forgetting how to rest is not. The problem is that we have done exactly that.
“No days off” may be the trending fitness goal, but for a college student with classes, student organizations, meetings, internships, interviews, friends and other time commitments, this lifestyle can actually lead to a run-down, unhealthy body.
Today, resting is not viewed as resetting, but it is viewed as being lazy and unproductive. This idea has been falsely fed to us through what we view online, and we have begun to believe it.
This mentality creates such a harsh environment around physical health, exercise and diet. We implement extreme restrictions, and when we don’t live up to our unrealistic standards, guilt creeps in.
Taking an extra rest day because your body needs it doesn’t mean you aren’t “locked in” enough, and it also doesn’t mean you need to make up for your lost workout the next time you exercise.
Your body needs rest to produce energy, and your muscles need rest to heal and grow. Taking mindful rest days provides your body with the necessary and effective recovery it needs to function properly.
Resting has turned into something we criticize ourselves for, not something we prioritize. Progress isn’t gained in one workout, but people seem to think it can be lost that way.
As college students, our schedules tend to fluctuate daily. We are in a demanding part of our lives where our attention is wanted everywhere we turn. That alone can be exhausting. Giving ourselves extra sleep or having a slower day is necessary to avoid burnout in our current environment.
Along with exercise and resting comes nutrition and intuitive eating.
Tracking macros, the main nutrients your body needs to function properly, and counting calories have been heavily promoted by fitness individuals online and targeted to all kinds of viewers. While this idea is beneficial for individuals heavily in the gym, such as bodybuilders, it can quickly become an obsessive habit and lead to an unhealthy relationship with fitness and wellbeing for the “normal” person.
Additionally, the online fitness industry has led us to believe that sugar completely derails a day of healthy eating, but being healthy is also about being mindful. Having a dessert after dinner is not a “cheat meal.” It is just a little sugar.
Influencers have taken the idea of sugar and run with it. Black bean brownies, three-ingredient high-protein cookies and cottage cheese muffins don’t taste the same as the real thing. While experimenting with these different recipes is fun and can be a good alternative, people shouldn’t feel guilty for moderately consuming a normal dessert.
Sometimes, it feels hard to enjoy anything “unhealthy” without criticizing ourselves and feeling criticized by others because of the all-or-nothing trending mentality.
Life, in all areas, is about balance.
Having proper goals and creating boundaries is necessary and important to achieve a healthier lifestyle, but scolding ourselves for enjoying a certain meal, missing a workout or taking an extra rest day is what makes our progress become unhealthy.
Self-improvement, as well as physical well-being, is always something to strive for, but doing so in a healthy way is the most important aspect.
Wellness journeys look different to everybody. People have their own paths, and what works for others may not work for you.
The best part about fitness is the idea of customization. It can look however you want it to. There are no rules, no specific guidelines and no book that you have to follow.
Not everything in life is meant to be all or nothing, and not everything in life is universal. Sticking to your goals is important, but listening to your body and understanding how to best cater to your specific needs makes all the difference.
Aleni Bender is a junior studying organizational communication at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Aleni about her column? Email her at ab285023@ohio.edu
