We are a species that are determined to thrive and survive onward and upward, and we are this way to further our own species’ progression as far as we possibly can. Everything from the way we interact, work, treat ourselves and others, adventure, and even how we approach our health, has transformed over time thanks to further ongoing advancements in the awareness and knowledge we have on all things life. In the case of our health, this exceedingly acute awareness of how we can best take care of our bodies has resulted in a heightened focus on diet and exercise.

Ignorance is not bliss

There is something interesting to note about our approach to health and fitness. While of course we all have different individual approaches to our health, it is widely accepted that there are set motions that apply to practically everyone when it comes to matters of our health. The most important one? Diet and exercise. For many, many years there has been an ongoing consensus that a balanced, healthy diet is the single most effective lifestyle habit one can have. Similarly, there is a widely agreed upon stance that at least thirty minutes of exercise a day is the recommended amount.

The heightened focus on our health continues to surge

If our history has taught us anything, it is that ignorance lures us (consciously or not) into a false sense of security. Looking around, and at our recent history, it is fair to say that this could not be truer. We see it all around us, the way that the world shudders into focus when a set issue or topic becomes more of a focus after more research and studies are conducted surrounding its existence. So, where did this heightened focus on diet and exercise come in exactly, and why is it so important?

Why exercise and a healthy, balanced diet are so important

The human body was designed to wander, gather, forage, and hunt. This is quite literally the genetic make-up that binds us to our bodies, what makes us so exceptional as a species, so profound. What this also means is that we were designed to be moving near constantly, if not always, in some way or another. The fact that most of us do not subscribe to this notion in our daily lives, this natural stance, means that we have changed our lifestyle from the one that was intended, to the one that allows us to survive in the world we have created. But, this also has created an unhealthy approach to exercise. Suddenly we “don’t have enough time” to prioritise exercise, when in reality exercise is what keeps us active and moving.

Similarly, our diet quite literally manifests aesthetically and internally, with our bodies mirroring the quality of the food and drinks that we ingest. So, regardless of if one’s approach to their dietary intake is to embody keto dieting, or they eat whatever they feel like at the time, regardless of its nutritional value, the point remains the same: we practically are what we eat. When we eat as balanced a diet as possible, our bodies can process what we ingest easier, as they are more naturally-inclined foods and drinks. If we load ourselves up on processed fats and sugars, our bodies must work harder to process them, meaning that it takes longer than usual. Taking care of our bodies is crucial if we want to have the utmost quality of life, and diet and exercise are the surest way to do that.