WomensStuff how do you take care of your body?

Not as well as I would like. A few years ago, my diet was amazing and I was getting daily exercise, and that felt really good. I moved in with my partner last year, who is extremely picky and rejects most dishes I make that are healthy. So I cook meals we can agree on, which often end up being devoid of vegetables and either unhealthy or neutral at best.

I also now get woken up an hour before I'd like to, at 5 a.m., by a screaming cat every single morning, so instead of exercising or doing yoga before work, I just spend the next two hours being exhausted and just trying to wake up.

I'm good about other things, like skincare and not staying up late. The state of my living space also correlates directly with my mental state, so I always keep things clean.

I think, I hope, that building routines aren't linear. At 17 and 18 I had great routines too which fell by the wayside the longer I spent in college, and things got better for a few years after college. Cohabitating with another person will be a temporary setback and not a permanent one.

Have got quite the self-care regimen!

Sleep: strict bed and waking times, naps on weekends

Food: AIP foods (I have autoimmune stuff)

Exercise: when I can make it to the gym, I walk

Dental/medical: sonicare toothbrush and floss twice daily, whiten annually, dentist/doctor regularly

Skin: lip and under eye filler annually, Botox quarterly, wash face/creams twice daily

Family: I work with my dad and from home and have a stay at home husband, daily activities with the kids, which allows me to see everyone more than if I had a regular job

General self care: Finch app keeps me on track

I just looked up finch and it looks kinda like a tamogatchi but the pet is yourself? Can you tell me more about it - what you like and how it helps? It sounds interesting!

I have strict rules about ingredients in food, and have a list of things associated with ultra-processed foods that rule them out completely. I try to only eat foods made from ingredients I could buy myself at the grocery store or a cultural marketplace, and make my own meals most of the time. I eat out/eat food from a restaurant maybe once or twice a month, sometimes less.

I go for glass packaging whenever I have the option. My water bottles are all glass and I have a couple of sets of metal eating utensils in my purse so I can avoid plastic ones. I use glassware for leftovers and stainless steel or cast iron pans.

I take unabashed naps, without shame, excuses or explanations. Napping is an honored use of time in this house.

I take unabashed naps, without shame, excuses or explanations. Napping is an honored use of time in this house.
Me too, huge fan of naps! :)

I eat really healthy, I'm middle aged so can't get away with eating shit anymore. I love chocolate but I can't shovel it constantly!

I also train a lot, it massively helps my MH and it keeps me fit.

I'm always in flat shoes, I don't do high heels ever. Dunno if it really helps take care of my body or if that's an old wives tale!

Exercise really is great for mental health!

There's still too much processed foods in my diet, but I'm making progress on quitting nicotiene and getting into a daily workout habit. =D

The results have been spectacular so far, I don't think my legs have ever looked this good before~

Well done you! Also I love your shirt :)
- Hehee, thanks!

Poorly. I have multiple chronic health conditions which require a lot of medications/treatments and I really do not keep up with it all. I should especially be using my nebulizer and percussion vest (for lung clearance due to cystic fibrosis), but they're such a pain that I rarely do. And I should really stop drinking alcohol. And do physical therapy exercises, but I just can't be bothered anymore.

Solidarity. I'm in a similar place and it's hard to not spiral into internalised ableism when I burn out
That sounds like a lot to have to remember and keep up with, no wonder it's hard to stick to :/
- Thanks, it is just tiresome.

Not very well, to be honest. I have replaced one or two of the many coffees I drink every day with herbal infusion because my joints have started rattling in the last few years. I add vegetables to my food often, and also use the herbs I grow on my balcony. I pray to the goddess that she permits my coffee habit for another few years. But also, I very rarely touch ultra processed foods, don't drink soda or any other sugary drink, avoid stress (even most stuff considered 'fun' stress, like holidays and events) and try to not pollute my mind with too much bullshit. I don't like being obsessed or make myself feel guilty about living in a very healthy way. Most of my wellness practice consists of doing whatever I feel like doing without worrying too much about it.

If it is the taste of coffee, roasted soybeans is a viable substitute. If it caffeine addiction, there are a few caffeinated plants that might be local to you which could be brewed into a tea.
- I've been looking into local plants as coffee substitutes, and made my own malt coffee once by sprouting and roasting grain. At the moment these are too time consuming for me, but I might get there at some point. I really don't like being addicted to this colonial stuff, it's wrong on so many levels, not just health.
Sounds like you're doing pretty well! Not polluting your mind is an important one, it's connected to your physical health and it's important
Most of my wellness practice consists of doing whatever I feel like doing without worrying too much about it.
This sounds super chill, nice not to be stressed over it!
- I believe a lot of the wellness stuff is to keep us functional in a sick world (I have used mindfulness to be more productive before and it has driven me into burnout), so I really don't want to get obsessed about the wellness or fitness game. I also don't want to be a fucking wreck at 55. Not always as chill as it seems. 😅

I eat clean 95% of the time, with one restaurant meal out per week most weeks (1/21 ≈ 5%), and I try to make that meal out reasonably healthy (e.g., grilled salmon, limited beer). I cook most meals from whole foods, including some veggies I'm growing in my garden (sooooo much yellow squash right now!). I try to get 125g protein and 25g fiber daily and limit my calories, sugar, and saturated fats. I drink at least 64oz water daily.

I weightlift heavy 3 times a week, plus I've recently added rebounding for cardio. I also try to stretch on my non-lifting days (lifting days have stretching built in).

I have a set routine every night before bed that helps me wind down - skincare, hair bonnet, lotion on feet/knees/elbows/hands, take my progesterone, and read my kindle until the sleepiness kicks in.

Despite the bedtime routine, I'm not a great sleeper anymore, so I take naps whenever I need them. My fitbit tells me that's 32% of days haha.

That's really solid work! You've invested a lot into yourself there and it'll pay off