To Nourish
“The mind and body are not separate, what affects one affects the other.”
How many times have you heard you are what you eat, or you are what what you eat eats.. and so on? What if we let go of the idea that food defines us? The idea of food being good or bad as if it has moral standing. Recognizing that it is, in fact, just food and that we, as individuals, have the power to eat as we desire. The question then becomes, what do we desire? What do we want out of life? And how can we use food as a tool to get there?
When we begin to shift our idea of food, we are able to see it for what it is. A tool. A tool that can be used to optimize so many facets of our lives. Food fuels us and delivers the information our body needs to nourish, build, repair, and restore. When we think about eating in these terms, I find it becomes much easier to make the choices that create our desired outcomes. We are no longer going through the motions, we are becoming actively engaged in the health of our current and future selves.
The current thinking is that over 500 million neural cells live in the gut, having a major impact on our overall mental health. Driving our thought patterns, stress levels, mood, and more. When looking to make a dietary shift, like many other things, it's easiest to make small incremental changes over time. If you need to drink more water, add one additional glass until that becomes routine. Then add another, and so on. Establish one healthy habit and allow others to grow around it.
It's also important to look inward and get curious. Everything we desire begins internally. As a thought, a feeling, a craving. When we pay attention to these internal cues, we can learn a lot about what our bodies and minds are trying to tell us. As such, it is important to give our bodies what they need to thrive. This means feeding not just the body but also the mind and spirit. Understanding the power of thought and how thought drives action. How what we consume drives our thought patterns, to positive or negative effect. Nourishment isn't just about the food we eat (although that is a major part of it). It's about everything we consume.
The Body
Nourishing the body begins with food. When we think in terms of how what we consume truly connects us to the earth and each other, it becomes easier to make choices that connect us with our deeper state of being. Think about how your food choices align with your values and why you are choosing the items you do. Get curious. Read your labels. If you don't understand the ingredients in your food your body won't either.
To feel our best sometimes, the easiest thing we can do is get back to basics. Reducing the amount of processed items in our diet and focusing on whole foods. Think lots of plants, lots of fiber, lots of color. Throw in a little protein and some healthy fat, and you're on your way! When we eat this way, we naturally stop having to worry about excess sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats sneaking in. We are able to optimize our energy levels, our immune function and, in turn, are able to show up as our best selves.
Another tool that can be utilized to shift your dietary decisions is the power of awareness, which I often talk about. Tune in to how you feel after each meal and make a mental note of what was eaten. If you feel sluggish, bloated, or antsy, you may need to make some adjustments. Once again, it's not about being perfect or eating "perfectly" (whatever that means). It's about enjoying the process, experimenting, and finding what feels right for you and your body.
The Mind
Nourishing the mind is as equally important as nourishing the body. While there are plenty of foods we can eat for optimal brain function there are also other things we consume that can equally have a negative or positive affect on our mental health. We live in an environment where it is normal to constantly consume, whether that be food, social media, news, etc. To be able to optimize the areas of our lives we are looking to improve, switching from a mode of constantly consuming to consciously consuming puts the power back in our hands. When we consciously consume, we are aware of what we are allowing into our space and what we are spending our mental energy on.
When we free the mind of unnecessary noise it is then able to use that space on what really matters. That project or hobby you want to get started on. Picking up a new book. Being more present with family. Taking on more at work or simply gaining peace of mind from not being bombarded with so-called disasters at every turn. We are now inundated with more information in one day than our ancestors were over the course of a lifetime. However, our brains have not evolved far enough to be able to handle the onslaught. It's ok to tune out the endless noise and tune in to what matters. What is right in front of us.
The Soul
When we feed the soul we come alive and connect deeply with our being. What activities do you partake in that allow you to feel like yourself? Is it a challenging fitness class, visiting and laughing with friends or family, taking a long walk in nature, writing, or dancing to your favorite song? Feeding the soul is all about commitment to self. Prioritizing your deepest needs so that you are able to give to others from a filled cup.
I often talk about self-prioritization. How unselfishly putting yourself first gives you the space to give more to others. Ask yourself, what makes you come alive? What practices do you enjoy showing up for? After what activities do you feel most fulfilled? When you can communicate this (to yourself and others) you can get clear about what drives your spirit and put systems in place to ensure you get the time to work these practices into your life.
