The meaning of well-being and feeling good has evolved throughout the ages. In the 60s, it meant smoking a marijuana joint and/or exploring other psychedelic drugs. A dangerous practice that has since been proven to be detrimental for your long-term health. In the 70s, it meant roller skating and listening to LP’s, the 80s brought about a new trend in exercise and eating healthy which extended into the 90s. Today, exercising and eating healthy for achieving general health, and positive well-being are routine and commonplace.
Move More
What has changed though are the different ways and methods of obtaining such heights? The 80s popularized protein-diet shake plans, which called for a shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch, then a sensible dinner. The 80s, also introduced the catchy song “Let’s Get Physical” by Olivia Newton-John that hit the music pop charts at #1 and launched other similar music videos for losing weight on the new MTV music channel. As a result, the aerobics craze stepped into high gear when Jane Fonda launched her first exercise video and coined her catchphrase: “No pain, no gain.” So, firming your abs with music beats was a fun way to lose those extra pounds and get moving. The more you move, the more endorphins you release, which ultimately makes you more happy and energized.
Our Ever-Evolving Diet
The 80s also brought the concept of prohibiting complex carbs and protein from being eaten during the same meal. The 90s brought about the illusive low-fat diet which promoted, eating foods like lean burgers from popular fast food restaurants and the infamous high-protein, low-carb plan. Since, we have been bombarded by low-cal snacks, low-fat healthy options or diets with no sugar, no gluten, no soy, Paleo, vegan or veggie, Atkins, detox ….truly, the list is endless. We do know that a great way to lose weight is by eating spinach, as it delays fat digestion and reduces your appetite. You can buy spinach extract if you don’t want to get spinach leaves.
We are riddled with shock tactics on TV shows, showing cool celebrities pulling wagons fulls of fat to represent the pounds they have lost, or the common Joe battling the bulge in competition type weight-loss challenges. There are many pros and cons of weight loss reality shows but one thing is certain, the reality of being overweight is a constant reminder and never too far away from our thoughts thanks to the many cues we receive from social media, TV, magazines, billboards etc. It’s non stop and I can’t say it’s a good for our well being.
And, So What Does It All Mean?
All these things, what are they really for? To help our efforts to lose weight? But, is losing weight the key to happiness? Is it really going to make the difference of being more fulfilled in your life, being a better person, being happier? To some it is. However, real happiness is not something that is not so easily defined as being the skinniest you can be. Happiness is subjective….what works for one, doesn’t for others.
Feeling good and achieving positive well-being does not necessarily mean you have to adopt a crazy impossible lifestyle or diet like the restrictive and unhealthy cabbage soup or grapefruit diets. We are not designed to east just one kind of food, even though it may help the unwanted pounds shift.
How Can We Achieve Happiness & Positive Well-Being?
You can achieve this by obtaining a balance in your life, Yin/Yang, synchronicity or whatever you want to call it. Yes, lose the weight if you want too, yes, do exercise, yes find that place/someone that makes you happy but also, in moderation spoil yourself with your favorite ice cream once in awhile, walk instead of run so that you can take in the beauty of nature around you and not have to work so hard, work less hours so that you can spend more time doing things you truly love. After all, we just want to be the best version of ourselves and we really aren’t here for all that long – in amongst the panic and pressure of looking a certain way, we often forget to simply just live.
Our Top Tips To help You Be Happier, Healthier and More Fulfilled
- Reach out to your friends (connect, reconnect and remember to have fun)
- Exercise every day (at least 30 minutes a day) or even just get some fresh air.
- Eat well (make sure to have carbs, fat, and protein at each meal)
- Drink natural teas such as mint, turmeric and jasmine
- Cut out caffeine
- Take nutritional health supplements if needed (Visit Analyze That for a comprehensive list of supplement reviews)
- Drink lots of water – minimum 2 litres a day
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid alcohol
- Read the nutritional information on all packaging – know what you are consuming
- Avoid processed foods
- Smile – and the world will smile with you!
Try all or just some of these things, give yourself a week and reflect back an see what a difference it makes. We don’t think that you will be disappointed.
