PLEATSMAMA | Editorial Vol.5

I really enjoy having fruit. If not every day, I try to include it as a part of my diet at least every other day. I often find myself craving some of my favorites—bananas, cherries, peaches, and apples—after a meal, since biting into these delectable treats makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Full of enzymes, healthy fibers, probiotics, and minerals, fruit helps our bodies take in essential nutrients. Another understated benefit of fruit is that it can be surprisingly filling. Having some before a meal prevents me from eating too much or over-indulging myself. If any of our readers are either prone to overeating or having trouble sustaining a habit of consuming balanced meals, I highly recommend keeping some fruit at home and gradually incorporating them into meal plans. Now that fall is here, how about starting your day with an apple? Having seasonal fruits that are readily available at this time of year is one of the best ways to fully enjoy the warmth and plenitude of autumn.

I was never interested in physical activities, nor was I very good at them. However, after watching a documentary on a group of people taking a yoga trip to Jeju Island, I became interested enough to want to learn. I was especially drawn by the scenes depicting the group training sessions and was left with the impression that yoga could be an easy activity to take up, especially for someone like myself who lacks physical literacy.

Not long after I watched the documentary, I went to the local studio and signed up for three classes a week. I quickly found out that yoga was far more challenging than I had anticipated. In fact, my body was too stiff for me to even follow many of the poses which had appeared to be so easy on screen. Still, the sessions slowly helped me to phase out distracting thoughts, allowing me to solely focus on my body and breathing. Getting to know my own body—my twisted pelvis and rounded shoulders—while learning new terms, such as “Asana” and “Vinyasa,” made the classes quite enjoyable. I felt like I was experiencing different versions of myself each time I did yoga, and thus the classes became an alluring part of the week I would always look forward to.

I no longer have time to take classes at the studio because of my hectic work schedule. However, I still engage in simple sessions at home in which I do poses that were especially memorable or energizing. There are many days when we tend to ignore the state of our own bodies for the sake of getting through the day. The simplest yoga poses or stretching sessions can be a comforting remedy to an exhausted, fatigued body. Using a massage ball or a foam roller for a few minutes will be more than enough to release some of the tension built up in your body. Treat yourself to some much-needed relief at the end of a long day. These small but encouraging acts toward yourself will surely be sweeter and more rewarding than you know.

Everybody has had at least one occasion where they either received flowers or have given them to a loved one, family member, or a friend. Until a few weeks ago, I had never visited a flower shop unless it was to prepare a gift for someone else. I was feeling particularly low that day when I spotted a small flower shop on my way home. As I had been in the process of nursing my feelings, the brightly lit establishment seemed to present itself as an auspicious sign, especially since it was one of the only places still open at that hour of the night. I quickly went in and decided to purchase a beautiful, pinkish flower in full bloom as a pick-me-up. After having been told by the owner that the gift I gave myself was a “Gerbera,” I continued to return home while the flower’s sweet scent gradually lifted my spirits. I placed the gerbera in a vase full of water as soon as I arrived and proceeded to write in my diary. Throughout the entire week that followed, I felt better every time I caught a glimpse of the flower. I felt loved and cared for, even if it was through a small present I had gotten myself. Nowadays, I often get myself a flower when I’m in a bad mood or am feeling down.

Although it might not be an elaborate gift, giving yourself a small flower can have a powerful, uplifting effect.

Epilogue

I’ve described some of the things I do to pursue a healthier lifestyle through two separate pieces. Despite not including luxurious trips or special events, these personalized recipes can be salient reminders of how every day is precious, and therefore special, even in their own right. Just as the wings of a small butterfly in one region can contribute to causing a hurricane in a different part of the world, making small changes to your daily routine can ultimately make you healthier and fill your days with more meaning.

I really enjoy having fruit. If not every day, I try to include it as a part of my diet at least every other day. I often find myself craving some of my favorites—bananas, cherries, peaches, and apples—after a meal, since biting into these delectable treats makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Full of enzymes, healthy fibers, probiotics, and minerals, fruit helps our bodies take in essential nutrients. Another understated benefit of fruit is that it can be surprisingly filling. Having some before a meal prevents me from eating too much or over-indulging myself.

Not long after I watched the documentary, I went to the local studio and signed up for three classes a week. I quickly found out that yoga was far more challenging than I had anticipated. In fact, my body was too stiff for me to even follow many of the poses which had appeared to be so easy on screen. Still, the sessions slowly helped me to phase out distracting thoughts, allowing me to solely focus on my body and breathing. Getting to know my own body—my twisted pelvis and rounded shoulders—while learning new terms, such as “Asana” and “Vinyasa,” made the classes quite enjoyable. I felt like I was experiencing different versions of myself each time I did yoga, and thus the classes became an alluring part of the week I would always look forward to.

I no longer have time to take classes at the studio because of my hectic work schedule. However, I still engage in simple sessions at home in which I do poses that were especially memorable or energizing. There are many days when we tend to ignore the state of our own bodies for the sake of getting through the day. The simplest yoga poses or stretching sessions can be a comforting remedy to an exhausted, fatigued body. Using a massage ball or a foam roller for a few minutes will be more than enough to release some of the tension built up in your body. Treat yourself to some much-needed relief at the end of a long day. These small but encouraging acts toward yourself will surely be sweeter and more rewarding than you know.

Everybody has had at least one occasion where they either received flowers or have given them to a loved one, family member, or a friend. Until a few weeks ago, I had never visited a flower shop unless it was to prepare a gift for someone else. I was feeling particularly low that day when I spotted a small flower shop on my way home. As I had been in the process of nursing my feelings, the brightly lit establishment seemed to present itself as an auspicious sign, especially since it was one of the only places still open at that hour of the night. I quickly went in and decided to purchase a beautiful, pinkish flower in full bloom as a pick-me-up. After having been told by the owner that the gift I gave myself was a “Gerbera,”

I continued to return home while the flower’s sweet scent gradually lifted my spirits. I placed the gerbera in a vase full of water as soon as I arrived and proceeded to write in my diary. Throughout the entire week that followed, I felt better every time I caught a glimpse of the flower. I felt loved and cared for, even if it was through a small present I had gotten myself. Nowadays, I often get myself a flower when I’m in a bad mood or am feeling down.

Although it might not be an elaborate gift, giving yourself a small flower can have a powerful, uplifting effect.

Epilogue

I’ve described some of the things I do to pursue a healthier lifestyle through two separate pieces. Despite not including luxurious trips or special events, these personalized recipes can be salient reminders of how every day is precious, and therefore special, even in their own right.
Just as the wings of a small butterfly in one region can contribute to causing a hurricane in a different part of the world, making small changes to your daily routine can ultimately make you healthier and fill your days with more meaning.