As you likely noticed I did not post last week. We are only two months into 2020 and I have already skipped two weeks, but hey, life happens. Last week I spent the majority of my time sleeping because I was fighting off a nasty case of the flu. I had every intention of posting last weekend, but when it came time to start writing I realized I just needed the rest. So I spent the majority of my day sleeping, drinking tea, and coughing. I have talked about listening to my body in the past so I took the opportunity to practice what I preach. As you will probably guess, the whole situation lead me to today's post.

Think about the times you are sick or overall just not feeling well. Especially if you are fighting off the flu or cold like I was, you body pretty much tells you exactly what you need to do in order to recover. If your lungs have some fluid like they always get when you are sick, you naturally just know to cough. When you need the rest in order to recover, typically you will be very tired and sluggish and will know to rest. Of course there are exceptions to thins but overall your body functions in a very specific way. I think it is very important that we listen to or bodies but also that we take really good care of them as well. If you are sick, give yourself the tools you need in order to recover. Our immune systems need plenty of water so make sure you are staying hydrated! Our bodies need plenty of sleep so do not feel guilty if you spend your entire weekend on the couch wrapping in a blanket. Listen to all the cues your body is giving you.

I would highly suggest you not waiting until you are sick to take care of your body though! At the risk of sounding like a broken record here, make sure your body is getting the fuel it needs! I am the first person to admit I enjoy my sweets and junk food, but of course you need to balance that out. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins! Obviously I am going to mention staying hydrated again too! I have been slacking in that department a tiny bit lately, and I regret it. If you are anything like me, however, you know pretty quickly if your diet needs adjusting. If I am eating more junk than I am used to my body usually doesn't feel too great. The same goes with not drinking enough water. Listen to those cues and give your body what it is asking for. If you are unsure what your body needs then talk to your doctor or a dietician. I am sure your body will thank you if you fuel it the way it needs you to.

Movement, of course, is another way you can take care of your body and keep it running efficiently. I have been slacking a bit with my cardio lately and because of that I have found I have already lost some of my endurance with cardio exercises. My weight training has been on point, but cardio is important too! We are meant to get up and move every so often so if you have a job like me that you are sitting during a lot of the time then make sure you are moving some other way. The gym is my go to of course, but you can go for walks, do yoga from home, find an at-home workout program. Anything that gets you up and moving and working up a sweat! Take care of your body any way you can!

Helping your body run as efficiently as possible will truly help you live a much healthier life. Listen to all the cues your body give you. When you are sick typically, your body tells you to rest. When you are in need of a healthier diet usually your body will feel pretty sluggish and run down. When you need to get up and move, do it! The most important thing I have not mentioned yet, and that is to love your body! I am the first person to admit that I have gone through times in my life that I did not love my body. But even if you don't look the way you would like to, think about everything your body does for you. With the exception of medical issues and such of course, your body overall functions exactly as it is supposed to in order to keep you going and moving. Do your body a favor and love it back by taking care of it!