How Beneficial Are "That Girl" Routines for Our Health?
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Chapter 1: The Rise of "That Girl" Routines
Recently, I've found myself, much like many others, engrossed in watching various videos featuring women, primarily influencers or models, showcasing their daily rituals known as "That Girl" routines. Initially, I was captivated by the visually appealing and meticulously organized practices. However, I soon began to question their actual health benefits. Is becoming "That Girl" really the way to go? To get to the bottom of this, I dove into some research and also tested the routine myself. As is often the case with social media trends, the findings were not entirely clear-cut.
For those unfamiliar (and kudos to you for steering clear of TikTok or YouTube), the essential elements of the "That Girl" morning ritual typically include: - Rising early, generally around 5 or 6 AM - An elaborate — often pricey — skincare regimen - A nutritious and “clean” breakfast, such as a green smoothie or avocado toast - A workout (with pilates and yoga being favorites, though walking and running appear as well) - Journaling
Essentially, it's about striving for a highly productive and healthy lifestyle.
However, there are also some notable drawbacks. Critics argue that "That Girl" routines can promote unrealistic dietary habits, which may be harmful to individuals with eating disorders. Furthermore, rising at such early hours might not be suitable for everyone. One might think that simply going to bed earlier could remedy this, as long as one gets 7–9 hours of sleep. However, this isn't necessarily the case. A 2016 study from Melbourne, Australia, revealed that forcing oneself to wake before sunrise could negatively affect health by causing hormonal imbalances, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Section 1.1: Personal Observations of the "That Girl" Lifestyle
As I explored this lifestyle, I made a few personal observations:
Subsection 1.1.1: Increased Motivation
Having a structured routine that began early in the morning significantly boosted my productivity throughout the day. By 10 AM, I was accomplishing more than I typically would by noon, which gave me a genuine sense of achievement as I checked off tasks on my to-do list, especially those I often found challenging to complete.
Subsection 1.1.2: Diminished Happiness
For the initial days, and even weeks, I relished my newfound efficiency and felt proud of my achievements. However, as time went on, I began to feel fatigued and frustrated that I couldn’t indulge in an extra half-hour of sleep or enjoy leisurely mornings spent reading instead of jumping straight into tasks. Although "That Girl" routines are meant to foster self-care and good mental health — for instance, through skincare or journaling — I often found the experience to be more stressful than beneficial.
Subsection 1.1.3: Frequent Illness
While this could be coincidental, I noticed that I seemed to fall ill more often than usual, even for the season. I began to speculate if my early wake-up calls were a factor — living in a Northern European country where daylight hours are limited meant I was often getting up while it was still dark outside. I suspect that in a different location or season, this might not have had such a negative impact.
Section 1.2: Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In summary, "That Girl" routines come with both benefits and drawbacks. It's crucial not to assume that someone else's schedule, diet, or lifestyle will suit you. Factors like your geographical location and the time of year can significantly influence what time is best for you to wake up. If you’re finding it hard to stay motivated and think that adopting such a routine might help, feel free to give it a shot. Just remember to be gentle with yourself if it doesn’t quite fit. Not everyone can — or should — aspire to be "That Girl."
Chapter 2: Video Insights on Morning Routines
This chapter could explore various YouTube videos that highlight the "That Girl" morning routines, providing viewers with visual insights and additional perspectives.