kindlybeautiful.comd-whysel.org

Blog

  • Stretch, It’s Good For You

      Our bodies, when young, in most cases, are kind of really great. With minimal aches and pains, we can get up and out of bed easily (though reluctantly), sit and stand without assistance, and we can get through the day without assistance needed physically. But, that can change. 

    Bodies Grow Weary

         Like with most things, with time, we will wear out. We will grow old and tired and sore because our vessels can only hold us up for so long. In time, our joints will begin to ache, and we will begin to lose our ability to perform daily tasks. We won’t ever be as nimble as we were in our youth, but there are things that we can do to prevent us from losing too much of our abilities to do things. We can stretch to maintain muscle health and flexibility. These are important factors to preventing aches and pains and preserving independence. 

    Our Bodies as we Age

         As we age, we lose flexibility in our muscles and tendons as they shorten and stiffen and stop functioning properly. Our range of motion will decrease and pain will increase. Even bending down to tie our shoes will become difficult and maybe put our backs out of commission for days. Muscle cramps and pain and damage, strains, joint pain and falling are some of the things we’ll be at risk for if we don’t take care of our bodies now, but we most certainly can take care of our bodies now. We can stretch. Stretching helps maintain flexibility which then increases our range of motion. For example, the distance from fingers to shoelaces is not only a far distance away, it also requires multiple muscle groups to be put to work. Stretching allows for our backs to bend and knees to fold and fingers to tie our shoelaces. 

    Now What?

         So, what do we do with this information? We take it with a grain of salt and then we go stretch. Start gentle with easy repetitive motions like marching in place. Then we start stretching our muscles, holding positions that stretch out calves, hamstrings, hip flexors, quadriceps, shoulders, neck and lower back. Just don’t push it into pain because your muscles will tighten and your stretching then will become counterproductive. 

    To Conclude

         Do things to try to keep your bodies as healthy as possible, because while we can’t deny the fact that sometimes, we get really unlucky, but what if we do get that lucky? What if we do get to grow old? We wouldn’t want to be in pain. Now remember, I’m a random person on the internet, you’ve got a brain, try your best out there, and good luck.

  • Slow Down, No One’s Taking Your Food

    Your brain doesn’t know when to stop eating, not until it’s twenty minutes too late and suddenly your stomach kind of feels too full. That’s how long it takes your brain to know that you are full, a good twenty minutes after, you are full. When you eat, ghrelin, a hormone that is responsible for controlling hunger starts becoming suppressed and in turn that lets it release fullness hormones. Then these fullness hormones will start whispering to your brain, telling it to tell you that you’re full and that you can stop eating now. The thing is, the brain can do better at telling you when you’re full if you eat slower because it has time to receive those fullness hormones. Not only that, eating slower can also increase fullness hormones. 

         In a study conducted with seventeen people, all at a normal weight, found that finishing 10.5 ounces of ice cream in thirty minutes versus finishing the same amount in five minutes reports to be more full. 

         Eating slowly can also help you reduce calorie intake. In a study splitting people up into eating slowly and quickly with both overweight and normal weight people found a statistically significant fewer calories consumed in the normal weight group. All participants, though, felt fuller for longer after eating slower. 

         Eating slower can also mean chewing more thoroughly because drawing out that chewing time slows you down. Slowing down, as stated above, lowers your calorie intake and in turn that helps you lose weight. Find the right pace for you because chewing too much can also decrease meal enjoyment. A study found that while chewing thirty seconds or more reduced snacking later on, it also reduced meal enjoyment. 

         Remember, eat slower, chew more thoroughly, and most importantly, stay safe and think for yourself. 

  • The Girl and the Vending Machine

    What To Do Once A Month?

     Once a month, I go on an eating spree. I take myself to a vending machine and shove ten dollars and the annoying change I accumulated over the month into it, then I proceed to leave said vending machine with six packages of chips, chocolate and cookies. Sometimes, that once a month spree means one brownie and leave the vending machine with three bags of things. It is absolutely the most enjoyable day of the month in my opinion.

    And Then What Happens?

    I find a private place to sit first, then I play a show on my phone before cracking open all my bags of snacks and then shoving all that unhealthy junk into my face. That feeling  is unbeatable. Food makes people happy, so that time frame is pure bliss. My brain is literally almost empty minus the thought of, “these chips taste so good” and “this show is amazing”. It’s admittedly not the best thing to be doing because it leaves me craving that amount of junk food each day over the next few days. And sometimes, I do give in. Some months, my “guilty pleasure day” becomes my “guilty pleasure days”. It takes willpower to stop after just one day and I don’t have that kind of willpower every month. But for most of them, I do. And it feels good, being able to stop yourself before you fall down a rabbit hole. The amount of serotonin that comes with consuming that much junk also makes waiting a month really worth it. 

    Enjoy With Caution

         Don’t be afraid to have stuff you like. Maybe don’t do it the way I do, though. My eating habits aren’t that great, but that shouldn’t matter. You can think for yourself. I’m just a random voice on the internet writing an opinion piece.

         Be smart out there, but don’t be afraid of having that cheat meal. Stay safe, healthy, and try to find joy.

  • To Be Beautiful Means…

    Three hundred (give or take) words on what beauty means to me

    Beauty Is Something Complex

     Beauty is a complex thing with too many standards, too many restrictions and too many expectations. My Chinese female self associates beauty with clear skin, a pale complexion, wide eyes, and a skinny body. And, of course, who doesn’t like a symmetrical face? My body does not fit those beauty standards and my face is so asymmetrical, I make myself cringe in the mirror. 

         But, sometimes, on occasions, I feel beautiful. I’m wearing my favorite shirt and nothing can ruin my day. 

    All Up In Our Heads

         Do we all worry about what people think of us? We all have fleeting thoughts about strangers we see so of course we would worry about what people think about us in return. That thought about what random strangers see when they look at me proceeds to make me want to sink into the ground and not come out for the rest of the day. What other people think about me shouldn’t matter as much as it does to me, in all honesty. And I recognize that. It’s just not easy to stop a train of thought. 

    But, Who Cares?

         At the end of the day though, it’s what I think about myself and what the people I love think about me that matter. I can be wearing the ugliest shirt in the world, but if it makes me happy, I feel beautiful. The added bonus is when my friends just accept the fact that I’m in what could possibly be a pajama top, and move on. It’s mutual, really. They could be mid-bite of ice cream in a picture, but I would frame that picture in a heartbeat.

    Be You

         Beauty is what you make of it and what makes you happy. Beauty is not caring about what people think because random strangers don’t matter (no matter what your brain tells you). Beauty is finding joy with the important people in your life. Beauty is treating yourself with kindness and respect and treating others the same. Beauty is trying your best at living your life.

         Exercise caution on the web, and be beautiful out there.

  • Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I hold this statement to be true. Society has set beauty “standards” that simply do not benefit anyone, even those who fit said “standards”. When the word beauty is mentioned, what is the first thing that comes to mind? The first thing that might come to mind might be physical appearance and that’s ok. Unfortunately, this is how the word and concept of beauty is first taught to many of us. It can be damaging to have one perspective of beauty. It is time to unlearn this single version of what beauty means. Take that power back and define beauty under your own terms, self love is the best kind of love.

    Defining Beauty for Ourselves

    In a society that constantly pushes impossible and ever changing beauty standards, it can be difficult to understand what beauty means to us. The thing about beauty is that it is everywhere! Beauty does not have to look a certain way, be a certain color, have a certain shape, sound a certain way. Beauty is what you decide it is, much like art. The simple fact that someone disagrees with you should not discourage you from believing that something or someone is beautiful. That is the first thing to know about defining beauty, not everyone will agree with you and that is ok because they do not have to. 

    I find beauty in the unconventional, the experimental. The world would be quite boring if everything and everyone in it looked the same. We would not have much to be inspired from. Beauty is inspiration and it is limitless. I find beauty in my culture, in music, in knowledge, in community, in people, in my everyday observations. We are quick to judge but if we take a closer look and remain open-minded, we are bound to find something we may find beautiful. Beauty is not superficial, beauty is also held within. Your thoughts, your kind gestures and your knowledge contribute greatly to how you present yourself to the world. Be kind to yourself, always.

    What are some ways that you redefine beauty?

  • My Love For Carrot Cake

    I have always had a sweet tooth, that’s not bound to change any time soon. Oftentimes, we are told that sweets are bad for us and we should limit our intake. The reality is that too much of anything can be bad for us – even the good stuff! When I think about food, I think of love and connection. It is important that we have a healthy relationship with food. It is important to create a balance and not shy away from what is considered “bad” or “unhealthy”. 

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, my mother and I decided to get into baking. We experimented with different types of recipes and different types of ingredients. In the end, it was a simple carrot cake recipe that won me over. I would make it with or without my mother for my entire family every time I got the chance to. This simple, sweet delicacy brought us together. It is the reason why I enjoy it so much and think of love and togetherness whenever I have it. It can be deemed “unhealthy” because of the oil, butter or sugar content in it and if that is of concern, the amount can alway be adjusted! Nothing is set in stone when it comes to following a recipe. There is always room for experimentation and even if you don’t wish to change the recipe, any food is enjoyable in moderation!

    So far, I have made and ate carrot cake on its own, with chocolate chips, with nuts, with coconut, fruits,  and I have yet to explore other ways of having it. My favorite way to have it is with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top or next to it. It is very easy to feel guilty about what we consume. I see it this way, if it makes you happy and you feel great in the moment, allow that feeling to sit in and last. We all deserve the happiness that comes with enjoying our favorite foods no matter what.

    Aside from carrot cake, fried oreos come in a close second! What are some of your favorite foods to indulge in every once in a while?

    Here’s a recipe you can try!

  • Don’t Ignore Sweat, It’s Good for You

    Ever wondered why sweating is important? And how sweating may be beneficial for your skin too? Well, today I’ll be discussing the benefits of sweating. 

    The Function of Sweating:

    Sweating is a natural response to cooling our bodies down, especially during exercise or physical activities. Sweat glands are essential in regulating the body’s temperature. When our bodies overheat, sweat begins to produce and without sweat it can potentially lead to a serious problem. What kind of problem, you ask? A common problem when there’s lack of sweat is the risk of heat exhaustion. Dangerous, indeed. For this reason, sweating plays a vital role in keeping us in check. 

    Exercise and Sweat: 

    Moreover, according to honehealth.com, an expert on sweat studies named Andrew Best, has talked about the benefits of sweat during exercise. He describes that sweating can be enhanced throughout daily exercise. The more you exercise, the more sweat is increased resulting in withstanding for longer periods and higher intensity because sweat glands are keeping you cooler. As he stated from a previous research study “subjects who participated in aerobic training four times a week for eight weeks, either on an exercise bike or running on a treadmill, improved their fitness by an average of 19 percent and their sweating capacity by an average of 38 percent.” (Best, 2022) 

    Healthier Immunity: 

    Research has shown that sweating is also beneficial for immunity health. Sweating provides the necessary objective of removing toxins from your body. By exercising or simply heading out on warmer summer days the influence of sweat is your protector in helping your body kill pathogens and therefore improve your immune cells. So, take a walk, do a little jog or a run and it will do the job in helping you maintain your immunity in shape!

    Sweat and Skin: 

    Sweating surprisingly has some benefits for your skin. Studies have shown that sweat can have a good impact on skin glow. By exercising or heading outdoors during a hot summer day and sweating it out can lead to positive results to anti-aging effects, moisturizes your skin, kills harmful bacteria from skin, cleanse skin, and much more. So why not, sweat it out and enjoy the benefits that sweat brings to you! 

    Sources:

    1. Frothingham, Scott. “Sweating Benefits: Beyond Body Temperature Regulation.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 25 Apr. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/sweating-benefits. 

    2. Middleton, Tracy. “9 Surprising Things Sweat Can Reveal about Your Health.” Hone Health, 18 July 2022, honehealth.com/edge/health/benefits-of-sweating/. 

    3. “Boost Your Immune System during COVID-19.” Iowa Specialty Hospital, Iowa Specialty Hospital, 20 Apr. 2020, www.iowaspecialtyhospital.com/news-and-events/news/boost-your-immune-system-during-covid-19. 

    4. Ford, Rosie. “Sweating Is Good for You, and These Are the 5 Biggest Benefits.” DMoose, 4 Apr. 2023, www.dmoose.com/blogs/health-lifestyle/is-sweating-good-for-you. 

    5. of Frisco, By Dermatology Consultants. “What Effects Does Sweating Have on Your Skin?” Dermatology Consultants of Frisco, 5 Dec. 2019, mydermconsult.com/blog/what-effects-does-sweating-have-on-your-skin. 

  • Give Yourself Some Time for A Run

    Giving yourself some time to exercise is beneficial for a healthy mind, body, and health. Exercising is all about having fun and making yourself feel good. It’s a fun way to begin setting up fitness goals whether you want to be active, stay healthy, be in shape, or whatever it is you would like to achieve. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring and it’s more of finding interest in activities you enjoy doing. So, for today’s post I would be recommending running simply because anyone can benefit and start out if you are a beginner. 

    I started out running during my high school days as I was part of the school’s campus track and field team. In which, I participated in cross country and indoor track. Indeed, a marvelous experience filled with lots of good memories. Nowadays, I’ve been a casual runner. In terms of adding a little exercise into my routine whenever possible to stay active and healthy.

    Running for at least 10-15 minutes or more provides significant improvement to your health. These health benefits include the reduction of the risk of cancer, heart disease, boost your mood, relieve stress, improve sleep, strengthen legs and much more. Running is known to be a terrific cardio booster!

    For starters, it’s best to begin at a moderate pace. Try not to push yourself too hard and take it easy and light. But wait! How can I not mention warm-up for at least 5 minutes before running. Warm-ups are essential in order to prevent injuries and loosen up leg muscles. So, here is an informative article written by Watson on “How to Warm Up For Runners: Warm Up Exercises before Running.” I recommend checking it out. As you start running, I recommend starting out for 10 minutes and pace yourself comfortably. As the months go by, you can increase your minutes by 2-3. Within those months you will be able to increase your speed, distance and so forth. Stay healthy and happy running!

  • Defining Beauty on My Own Terms

    The answer to the “what is beauty?” is not limited to physical attributes. Beauty comprises numerous features like being kind, strong-hearted, sincere, and real.

    Societal stories usually prescribe stringent notions of beauty, leaving behind many people. The fact that beauty is diverse and cannot be defined by any set standards is liberating (Mady et al., 2022). Such a view enables people to enjoy specifics, kinks, or imperfections.

    Acknowledging further, beauty is evident in people’s actions and how people treat each other (Sartwell, 2012). Compassion, resiliency, and authenticity (Sartwell, 2012). This is apparent in a beaming smile, warm presence, or a spirited demeanor.

    As one grows up, one may notice that beauty is not just about conformity. It is all about shattering the stereotype and being beautiful based on one’s definition. People begin to notice beauty in simple yet touching gestures like a comforting hug or the warmth in a smile exchanged between strangers.

    Secondly, beauty covers the surrounding environment and experiences as well. It is in a stunning sunset, a work of art that provokes one, or a tune that touches the heart. Within the kindness of strangers, the resiliency of communities, and the steadfastness of those who aspire to a better world.

    This implies that beauty is a personal and dynamic thing that changes with time. People who understand beauty is more than being physically attractive allow themselves to see and embrace its many facets. Strengths, vulnerabilities, victories, and struggles are what beauty is about.

    In summary, understanding what beauty means a process of personal self-discovery and acceptance is. This is about seeing the beauty that is beyond the mirror itself. People should adopt personal notions of beauty and embrace their individuality by embracing others.

  • Indulging in a Guilty Pleasure Meal

    Maintaining a balanced lifestyle would mean having a healthy relationship with food. This is why one of the main rules to maintaining a healthy diet is that sometimes ‘bad’ food may just be needed to satisfy our cravings for certain dishes like ‘guilty pleasures.’

    This guilty pleasure includes a decadent bowl of carb-riddled cheese pasta and a dense, silken chocolate treat. In addition, I seek out this meal, which has lots of carbs and sugars, whenever I want comfort or deviation from routine. This creamy and indulgent pasta makes you remember warm-hearted family gatherings and holiday events. However, the chocolate dessert has a sweet tone that marks the end of the meal, making me feel full and happy.

    It is imperative to understand the idea of ‘the cheat meal.’ Enjoy yourself, and it is not about dropping your health routines. It can stop binge eating and nurture a good attitude towards food. Hence, an individual should consume this meal occasionally as part of a proper diet and not as a substitute for an appropriate diet.

    Furthermore, it has been possible to view eating one’s favorite meal as self-love. This is how to reward yourself for working all week or celebrate minor achievements. Tasting some of your favorite foods can also provide much-needed food and emotional nourishment towards improving your bad moods (Everyday Health Group, 2021).

    Eating a guilty pleasure meal when the diet culture dominates conversations about food can be considered an act of mercy. This acknowledges that food is not merely fuel but rather for enjoyment, and health should be well-balanced in the diet (Fieldhouse, 2022).

    Finally, a guilty pleasure meal is more than just taking a break from routine. That is proof of the idea that maintaining balance in eating habits is based on occasional pleasure eating.