There is so much stress in present day America on how men and women “should” look rather than the way they should treat their bodies. Fat and skinny shaming has become a phenomenon for which both genders are taking extreme measures to avoid. Curvy girls are starving themselves to feel more confident and thinner men are taking an excessive amount of supplements to put on weight. Rather than succumbing to the sick trend of shaming people for the way they look, let’s shame the unhealthy and self-abusive habits that seem to have created the need to put negative connotations on various body types.

Studies show that those with more active daily routines tend to be happier and have more energy throughout the day. They work harder, exude more effort in their tasks, and have a higher endorphin count than those who have adopted a more “lazy” schedule. Laying on the couch all day does not support the body. It results in weight gain and often the feeling of exhaustion making it harder to self-motivate. Now, participating in more lively activities does not mean putting in countless hours at the gym. Simply taking the stairs rather than the elevator or going on a daily walk can increase the body’s heart rate and make for a healthier human being. Even standing more often throughout the day can help to burn calories and keep the body at a stronger equilibrium. Get out and do something. Anything! Netflix will be there when you get back.

Eating habits can also make or break a healthy lifestyle. For starters, eating breakfast is an absolute must. It helps to kick-start the body’s metabolism for the day and naturally awakens the body from a good night’s sleep. While many people feel they “cannot eat early in the morning”, slowly weening themselves into the routine will make it easier to develop an appetite for food in the A.M.. It doesn’t have to be a large breakfast. A banana or granola bar will suffice just fine. As for the other meals, its best for the body to eat numerous small portions throughout the day. Larger meals only 2 to 3 times a day are harder for the body to digest and the saturated fats aren’t as easy to break down. These downsized meals don’t necessarily have to be perfectly healthy. Not everyone has a taste for smoothies made out of brussels sprouts and broccoli. Just appease various food groups in smaller quantities to fulfill all of the body’s needs. Simply not eating in order to lose weight, or eating large quantities to gain weight does not allow the body to naturally find its balance and won’t result in healthy weight loss/gain. Also, it’s best not to eat a day’s fill of junk food past 9 P.M. Let’s face it, you’ll survive without the midnight McDonald’s run.

Sleep is also a habit that often gets overlooked. A lack of sleep is really harsh on the body and makes it hard to properly function throughout the day. Sleep allows the body to recoup and replenish. It allows the mind to relax and the muscles to loosen. Men and women who don’t get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night are more likely to experience weight gain and an inability focus. Yes, we have busy schedules and sleep isn’t always the easiest thing to achieve. But just like eating and drinking, it’s necessary. The body cannot survive without sleep. And, no, mid-day napping does not count as a “goodnight’s sleep”.

Listen, no one is perfect and neither are their habits. But just a few simple changes to a daily routine can make a world of difference. Consider your worst health habits and eliminate just one. We need to stop shaming people for their body types. Why not shame the bad habits? The body slowly deteriorates without proper care, so let’s stop worrying about how over and underweight we all are. Let’s worry about health and preserving the body in natural ways.