Health

Life is busy and it can come at you ALL at once. This semester is certainly that way for me.

Here are some ways I am staying centered and balanced. I call it my "No Compromise List For Maintaining Health and Happiness"

1. Drink lots and lots and lots of....water. Your body needs it. Your mind needs it. I certainly feel fresher and more energized when I fill my water bottle up 4 or 5 times a day instead of opting for juices or sports drinks.

2. Sleep at least 6-7 hours a night. Take an occasional mid-day nap when your body is asking for it. Napping works wonders! Turn off your phone so you don't disrupt the miracle. Sleep 8 or 9 hours on the weekend! Yay sleep!

3. Work out. Strengthen and challenge your body 4-6 times a week. Do an activity you love, for me, it's running (and dancing badly to Beyonce and J-Lo each morning) but it might be yoga, rock climbing, flag football, swimming, or basketball. Work on your body and mold it, it's your temple.

4. Music. Sing your heart out. Dance like no one is watching!

5. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Seriously! Better skin? Check! More energy? Check! Happier body? Check! They're also quite yummy!

6. Treat yourself. There is NOTHING better than a good Thursday night show with a glass of wine in yours PJ's. Eat a cookie or two if you want a cookie or two. Have a few fries or a beer. If you keep depriving yourself, one day you might eat 8 cookies, or 2 extra large fries, then instantaneously gain 5 pounds, real talk.

7. Set aside a few minutes each night for a good read. It keeps your mind strong and intellectually stimulated. It's relaxing but it also moves you. Right now, James Baldwin and Ta-Nehisi Coates are everything to me.

8. Accept yourself and tell yourself that you are beautiful, smart, and unique because you are! Society doesn't always tell each one of us that we're worthy and smart and beautiful but we are, the more self-love you have, the better your confidence, and the better you treat yourself and others. Love your body. Love your mind. They are precious.

9. At the same time, say "NO" when you need to. Take time for yourself. Don't take anybody's shit.

So there's the September blog. No gimmicks. Nothing "new." No 30 day miracle fix. No calorie counting dieting. No counseling or free million dollar vacation. If you want to feel good, distress, and feel alive, you just need to do the right thing consistently for yourself.