In recent years, health has progressed from a concept to a movement–––a trend, even. Evident through the rise of health-related social media posts, advertisements, and its frequent presence as a daily conversational topic, we desire to be “healthy” and “fit” now more than ever. We are often bent on finding the perfect diet and exercise routine, excessively scrolling through interviews of celebrities at the hopes of finding the secret formula of becoming like them. Simply searching “workouts” on Google gives billions of exercise routines in steps and videos, and the same goes for habits and diets, encouraging and supporting those who are willing to work hard to be the best versions of themselves––healthier ones. This idea of being “healthy” has unconsciously set its roots in our minds, and this new trend has raised awareness to many that we must eat, sleep, and live better.
Contemporary media, however, portrays only one of the many sides that factor into a “healthy lifestyle,” possibly discouraging anyone with even the slightest differences in their own ways and increasing unnecessary pressure to follow false norms. Healthiness, when used in a social context or media, tends to paint a specific picture, and sometimes and somehow, we are fully convinced of this very image. The term “health” is defined as the “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” by the World Health Organization.
However, when we apply this term in our daily lives, it tends to imply that there is a single healthy lifestyle, ignoring the fact that certain aspects of health, such as sleep schedules or meals, are specific to each individual. When we think of a “healthy” diet, we picture an artistic spread of various veggies with a piece of fish, or even a neat pie chart with sections including carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water with their respective label of percentages. When we think of a “healthy” lifestyle, we imagine a fixed routine of going to sleep early and waking up early, preferably around 6 or 7 am. After a rigorous exercise routine, one might comment that they “feel healthy,” but what does this even mean? Certain parts of being “healthy” simply depends on individualistic needs, but we are led to believe otherwise at times.
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The reality is that there is no specific justification or standard of “healthiness.” As much as we have our own unique identities, the needs of our bodies are distinctive to each individual. Diet and food consumption is one of the major components that factor into one’s lifestyle. Although this part of the truth often seems to be forgotten by the media, some bodies have a hard time digesting raw, fiber-rich vegetables, such as corn, mushrooms, peas, and legumes. The continuous reinforcement by social media that blindly advocates for “MORE VEGGIES” is not taking everyone into consideration. Overeating these “healthy greens” would also not be the most favorable way despite what the majority seems to advocate for.
On the other hand, certain bodies cannot tolerate meat properly, while some are better at doing so than others. In fact, there are a number of other factors, such as the size of the portion, side dishes, and what the animal had been fed, that account into a human body’s response to meat. With so many aspects that factor into a body’s response to a single piece of meat, it is simply impossible to define or attempt to set a standard of a “healthy” diet. While the influencers and celebrities that share their tips and tricks for their perfect diet and lifestyle may have the kindest intentions to spread what they think is best, we can only conclude that those steps worked for their unique bodies.
One’s diet is not the only aspect regarding health that seems to confine our individualistic needs. A routine sleep schedule that falls between 9 pm and 6 am, is encouraged and commonly thought of as an “ideal” lifestyle practice. This, however, does not mean other sleep cycles are “unhealthy.” Winston Churchill, known for his unique sleeping schedule, slept for about 5-6 hours and napped 20-90 minutes. These days, many would agree that naps are associated with ideas of laziness and unproductivity, but would also disagree with associating Churchill with those notions.
Furthermore, Thomas Edison and Leonardo da Vinci had polyphasic sleep patterns, which consisted of taking six short naps, adding up to about 2-3 hours a day. Some sleep schedules have been proven to be more popular than others, but being different doesn’t mean you are wrong. Although there are benefits to what one might usually associate when thinking of healthiness, this is not specifically catered towards an individual. This can be especially problematic with people unconsciously letting themselves down for being “lazy” when naps may actually be the most efficient way your body operates, as well as a vital way to recharge your body and mind.
Nevertheless, this is not a bold proclamation to the field of science, attempting to disprove the countless research done to inform the public of what is best for our bodies. Yes, anyone would agree that having too many pieces of candy, bits of crystallized sugar formed by boiling down sugar syrup, would not be best for one’s digestive system. However, the topic at hand is directed towards the established sense of “healthiness” that is portrayed in the media. Reinforcing the same standards of being “healthy” to every person only pushes the misinformed to follow flawed expectations.
In a society that is so globally intertwined with the rapid development of technology, misconceptions and inaccurate news can spread in the blink of an eye to an audience that fully absorbs all pieces of information on the internet. The way this term is often used nowadays misleads and confines individuals to a fixed, universal way of living instead of one that is specialized towards their own unique body. There exists an urgent need to bridge the gap between misconceptions that there is a single “healthy” lifestyle by specifying one’s language and raising awareness.
With the advent of social media came the increased importance of visual stimuli. These days, most of the eye-catching and attention-grabbing content revolves around fitness, nutritious diets, and healthy habits. We are more conscious about the things we put in our body and how we treat our body overall than we ever have. However, they narrow our perspectives from the broad spectrum of health to a single lifestyle, failing to acknowledge the existence of different bodies and the utmost importance to match these individual needs. We must let go of the idea that sleeping and waking up early, eating a vegetable-based diet, and vigorous workouts are the only ways to lead a ‘healthy’ lifestyle.We are often discouraged that we do not have a “healthy lifestyle,” but there only exists your lifestyle. Listen to your body, not the internet.
