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Recently I have been reflecting on the idea of nourishment and what it means to fully nourish the body. My passion for cooking and background as a plant-based cook has often led me to think only of the food aspect of it, but I've recently come to realize that it encompasses so much more than that. We nourish our bodies by consuming things in so many different ways. Consumption is not just what we eat and drink, but what we read, listen to, and think as well.
I wanted to shed light on this because I feel that, now more than ever, we are being bombarded with so much information and so many opinions. Many of us don't take the time to stop and notice how all this information might be affecting us, physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Taking some small steps and becoming aware of what we are consuming can make a profound difference and enrich our lives.
Physically Nourished
This is the obvious one. What we choose to eat and drink impacts our health, either positively or negatively. Basing your diet on whole, plant sources provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly. As someone who follows and thrives on a plant-based diet, I fully advocate at least trying this out to see how you feel. However, each person is different and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition. Try to listen to what your body needs and pay attention to how different foods make your body feel.
I would like to take this a step further by including how we eat as well as what we eat. Are you someone who eats in front of the TV or while on your phone? You are not alone, so many people do this. However, it is this distracted eating that often leads to overeating. Taking out the distractions and eating mindfully gives you the opportunity to listen to your body's cues telling you when you are satiated.
Giving gratitude for your food before eating also has a big impact on it's potential to nourish you. Saying a simple prayer or blessing before you eat will not only affect the way the food affects you physically, but it will put you in the energy of gratitude, which is one of the highest vibrational energies.
Mentally Nourished
How lucky we are to be living in the information age! Any question that comes up, we can simply type into a search engine and find the answer. However, this wealth of information can be a double-edged sword. In addition to all this information, we are getting misinformation, propaganda, and opinions. It's all just too much!
Do you ever scroll through Instagram and Facebook and feel peaceful and hopeful after? I'm going to guess not. So why do we do it? Well for one, it's addictive. These social media companies were designed to keep you hooked. Their motive isn't to uplift you and make you feel good, it's meant to capture your attention and feed you advertisements.
You don't have to completely unplug, but observe how you feel after reading the news from your preferred outlet. If you consistently feel bad after, maybe it's time to rethink what you are reading and where you get your news from. While it's impossible to completely shield yourself from negative news stories, you can maintain balance.
Focus on getting your news from reputable, non-biased sources. Perhaps you need to limit your exposure to the news altogether. Do what is right for you and only take in the amount of information that you have the capacity to process. Don't overwhelm yourself with trying to know everything, because you never will anyways!
Spiritually Nourished
I believe that how we start our day really sets the tone, it's like our foundation. If we build that foundation with a flurry of social media posts and emails, we are already expending our energy before we even get out of bed. Are you someone who reaches for your phone as soon as you wake up? Maybe it's time to rethink this habit and do something to nourish your spirit.
Take the first 30 minutes of your day to connect to yourself. This can look different for different people. For some it might be meditation or yoga, for others, it might be prayers and journaling. Take what works for you and make it your own. Do whatever resonates with you, then you'll be more likely to keep it as a part of your daily routine. One practice I highly recommend is to keep a gratitude journal and start the day by listing 3 things you are grateful for. Beginning the day by focusing on your blessings opens the door for more blessings to flow in.
We are all here with unique and special gifts to share with the world. By nourishing our bodies properly, we can become our truest, highest selves, and share our gifts with others. When we take the time to uplift and elevate ourselves, we uplift others as well.