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HANDLE WITH CARE

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TRASH TALK

TRASH TALK

Your body is your vessel to conquer the world, make sure to take care of it.

The pandemic may have caused your body to lose your trust. While many people have taken advantage of quarantine to workout and curate a diet, a fair amount of people used their time indoors to stay in bed and eat what’s easy and accessible. I can say from anecdotal experience that this was totally me during the quarantine. While I spent my days in my sleepy town in suburban New Jersey, my boredom mixed in with my cynicism for what’s to come made me want to stress eat. Pandemic-related stress is real and it can take a huge toll on your body, and with all of the modern methods of wellness being shoved down your throats through social media and digital advertisements, it can be hard to judge what is good for your body.

Dietary methods that are being advertised to the masses may not always work and they may very well deprive your body of its own individual needs. This not only goes for physical health but mental health as well. This is especially prevalent for college students. You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that now isn’t the most ideal time to figure out how to “adult.” For underclassmen, the stress of growing out of the hometown shell to eventually find oneself may be stunted by the lack of human interaction. For upperclassmen, the opportu-

BY SWARNA GOWTHAM

nity to study abroad or network with professionals may have delays. When faced with such frustration in life it is important to remember what keeps us grounded. What are the pleasant simplicities of life that you wake up for every day? What are some hobbies that have emerged during your time in quarantine that you would like to revisit? From personal experience, it is important to recognize that you know yourself the best. You are the only person who is completely and fully aware of your complexities and your behaviors. You know about all the simple things that just make you happy. These simple things can include what I like to call “comfort hobbies”. For me, it’s writing. Whenever I’m overwhelmed with what life expects of me, I make a cup of coffee, sit down, and write. I write down whatever I want. I pour out my frustrations in chicken scratch handwriting, sometimes I even write poetry. As an aspiring writer, I use journaling to let go whilst doing what I love most which is writing. Is my poetry any good? No. Is my journal readable? Probably not. But again, the point is to leave behind the world’s expectations of what’s “good”, and just do. For people whose interests lie in fashion and lifestyle, making Pinterest boards and thrifting can ease the mind. For those interested in literature, reading your favorite book that

you have probably read 1000 times can be a source of mental relief.

When it comes to physical wellbeing, your needs may be a little more complex than just doing what you feel is right. I personally think that eating a bag of hot Cheetos feels right, but it’s not. I had to really look deep into what’s right for my body. I struggle with an iron deficiency so I made sure to eat a lot of my mother’s lentil curry, also known as dhaal. I get overwhelmed very easily. Yoga is also something that is very important in my family due to our Indian roots so I made sure to meditate from time to time to ease my messy mind.

IU Junior and Season model Kathryn Hart explains her tactics for fulfilling her personal physical health needs.

“I try to practice complete and practical wellness. I don’t believe in magic diets, perfect workouts, or miracle

beauty products, so I practice intuitive eating and maintain a healthy balance of exercise and rest” said Hart. “ I’m lucky to have grown up surrounded by amazing home cooks and to have been introduced to a wide range of global cuisine. I would say this allowed me to develop a really healthy relationship with food, which I think is important for wellness overall. I was taught that just because food is your fuel doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be delicious!”

Not only is exercise an important step in wellness, but the simple act of visiting or calling your family every so often is definitely something that is good for the mind and soul. It may seem silly or out of place for college students to visit or call home frequently but during times of high stress, being somewhere that feels familiar and safe can be something that makes you feel like you have peace of mind.

IU Junior and Season model Rita Ndemanu explains how visiting her family is important to her well being on top of maintaining a steady workout routine.

“I practice wellness by exercising, meditating, journaling, & keeping an open mind in all situations. Sticking to my routine plays an important role in how often I will practice these wellness strategies,” said Ndemanu “ Keeping in touch with family is culturally significant to me. This is a wellness practice to me because it keeps me grounded.”

Mental and physical wellness varies from person to person. However, the thought of maintaining your health should not be a stressor. Before trying complex workouts and diets, try to first revitalize yourself with what you know and with what is familiar to you. Remember that your body is a vessel that is used to conquer the world so take care of it.

photographed by: Isabelle Trusty head stylist: Bella Conner modeled by: Rita Ndenamu, Kathryn Hart

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