SH!T, SHOWER & SHAVE...The importance of Body-Care and Self-Love

FIND YOUR BALANCE 2020

In today's social climate there is a need for body awareness, inclusivity and self-love. This is why it is important to discuss body-care. Your body is special, unique and unlike any others. In situations where individuals are struggling with obesity, aging, and/or other body image issues, body-care is the start to self-love and positive changes. So let's start are body-care discussion about: SH!T, #2, Poop, or Whatever You Call it.

Are you wondering about gas, bloat, and how many times a day should you go #2? This is a subject we usually skip in most conversations. However, today we will delve into the importance of regularity and a healthy colon. According to current research it is considered normal to have a bowel movement anywhere from 3 times a day, to 3 times a week (Medical News Today). This normally coincides with your daily eating habits as well as lifestyle.

Those with healthy colons tend to do the following:

• Exercise or physically active

• Drink sufficient amounts of water

• Eat foods with higher amounts of fiber

• Listen to the body and take time to poop

So, if you experience constipation, don’t sit and wait. Drink some water, eat foods fortified with fiber and go for a walk. This will help the process of pushing stool through your colon. It will surely help you “GET MOVING”. There are many other factors that play important roles on how often you may go number #2, such as: gender and hormone balance, medical history, and social factors, etc.

Gender plays a role in bowel regularity. Women who are closer to starting their period will have a different hormone balance of progesterone and estrogen, which can increase the amount of times a day to go to the restroom. Furthermore, medical history plays a role as well, for example, those with Inflammatory Bowel diseases, such as Chron’s disease or ulcerative colitis, and even a basic stomach flu, can increase or decrease how often a bowel movement occurs. There are also social factors that play a role in how many times a day you may go to the bathroom. If you are one of those who hates going to public restrooms, you may hold in your bowel movement until you get home. This type of behavior can alter your bowel movement/schedule. Pay attention to all of these factors and try to keep yourself as regular as possible, it’s your colon’s only HOPE. There are many more things to discuss in regards to your bowel movements, such as: consistency, color, etc., so take a moment, do some research and learn about your colon's health. (For more information on this subject, check with www.mayoclinic.org and always contact your health provider if you are experiencing symptoms of serious illness).

SHOWER, Staying Clean

I hate germs and I am a stickler for showering after a good workout, washing hands and carrying hand sanitizer, etc. I decided to share the importance of not only showering, but also the overall importance of staying clean.

We have all heard of the Coronavirus, common flu, and many other serious illnesses going around our planet. We have to be careful and proactive when it comes to our hygiene and health. Do you wash your hands properly? Do you clean your cell phone? Do you wear protective slippers in a gym shower? Some do not. Taking the proper precautions can protect you from something that can be harmful. These are the reasons why you have to take action to protect yourself.

For instance, if you regularly go to the gym, it is a good idea to take some protective measures to lower your chances of contracting an illness or skin infection. Did you know that free weights, yoga mats and even cardio equipment in a gym can have up to 362 times more bacteria than a public toilet? According to the Mayo Clinic, gyms are a breeding ground for bacteria and a potential location for spreading infections such as MRSA, E coli, fungus, cold and flu, and even ringworm (athlete’s foot). YUP, totally gross. These are a few reasons why you should make it a habit to be proactive about staying clean. Here are some tips to lower your chances of contracting an illness or spreading one:

Tips (Check out AARP.org for more tips):

1. Wash hands with soap and water (at least 20 seconds), and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap is not an option.

2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, and cover your coughs and sneezes.

3. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces (such as door knobs, gym equipment, cell phones).

4. Stay home if you are sick, and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

5. Try Vitamin C.

6. Stay hydrated.

7. Get plenty of rest.

SHAVE, Grooming and Self-Love

Let’s discuss shaving, grooming and self-love, which are positive habits to have when it comes to creating a period in the day to love yourself. Though shaving is not necessary for health or standard of beauty, it represents one way we can express ourselves. Grooming can be both physical and mental. For example: wearing a favorite color, or hairstyle or treating yourself to a massage. Make a point to develop these positive habits:

Tips to Self-Love:

1. Take time for a good foot soak (use Lavender or Eucalyptus)

2. Get a facial or a mani-pedi

3. Daily positive self-talk

4. Read a good book, learn a poem

5. Try something new

6. Start a journal, make a vision board

7. Exercise, hike, take a walk

Taking time to love yourself is extremely rewarding and may help you reach goals of a healthier body, healthier mind, and an overall healthier YOU.

~Scott Tibbs