In a world where social media appearances seem to be the new currency, Alicia Keys is taking a new approach. Partnering with active brand Athleta, the 15-time Grammy award-winner is using the opportunity to shed light on the importance of not only uplifting women, but also to remind us that we’re all special and, despite what our Instagram feeds may try to convince us, we’re all beautiful, no matter our style or body shape.
Alicia Keys: Embrace Body Positivity
“I try to tune into my own spirit to understand what’s real and what’s fake so I don’t get caught up in it…I think that a lot of the things that are pushed on us and presented to us in the media, and definitely as we’re scrolling on social media, you get distorted reality a bit.” – Alicia Keys, PEOPLE
Granted, with over 20 million followers on Instagram, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressures of social media. Yet, Keys makes sure not to get too wrapped up in the idea of social media. Rather, she makes sure to not always be plugged in.
In addition to turning off when she needs to, the mother-of-two shared with PEOPLE the other ways she makes sure to prioritize her health.
“I’ve discovered that working out, meditating, physical activity, quietness and stillness, journal writing, a nap, just putting yourself together in a way that makes you feel good… all of these things are part of what feed me as a woman.”
Exercise for the right reasons
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While some may adopt an exercise routine in order to lose weight, that’s not what motivates Keys to workout. Rather, the singer exercises because it makes her feel good, sharing that “I enjoy working out because it makes me feel good, not because I can’t wait to post a selfie.“
When exercising, the body releases endorphins, and these chemicals can help to boost your mood and self-esteem, as well as ease pain and discomfort.
Color therapy
Alicia Keys is a firm believer in color therapy, and when it came to partnering with Althleta, she made sure to pick colors that lift her up. “I just feel like if you put on something that feels like a pop, you just walk differently and you feel better.”
According to color psychologist Karen Haller, the right colors can help to improve your mood, sharing that “we instinctively feel and behave differently around colours because of how we take the colour in through our eyes and through to the part of our brain where our emotions reside.”
Listen to your body
Now, while Keys ensures to lead an active lifestyle, that doesn’t mean that she over-exerts herself. In fact, Keys makes sure to listen to her body so that she can give it what it wants.
“I ask myself what I need because sometimes I really need a workout. Some days I’m just very, very tired and I just feel like the best thing for my spirit is going to be sleep.“
aliciakeys/instagram
Small steps count
We all live busy lives. As we can’t spare an hour for the gym, some of us would rather not exercise. However, Keys shares that you can address this issue by creating a schedule, “just like you schedule everything else.”
For the singer, she’ll get up 10 minutes early and might use these 10 minutes to write in her journal, meditate or even do a 10-minute ab workout. Regardless of what she uses the time for, Keys shares that “I find that doing something is always better than nothing, and I just give myself grace.”
Takeaway
Leading a healthy lifestyle is vital, and it’s important not to get too caught up in appearances. Keys reminds us that no matter what you look like, your body image should be of the most importance.
“It’s beautiful to feel positive about your body. But it’s also fine that you don’t look like everybody else, or that you look different...”
MAIN IMAGE CREDIT: ALICIA KEYS/INSTAGRAM
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Celebrities are constantly put under a microscope, and this can affect their body image. Just ask Megan Fox. Considered to be one of the most beautiful celebrities, the actress recently revealed that she struggles with body dysmorphia.
