There is a lot to be said about nurturing our soul at the
same time we are providing healthy nourishment for our bodies. Most in the
field of nutrition will say you really can’t do one without the other and truly
live a healthy lifestyle. Each helps the other flourish, which supports our
whole self.
Finding time to both prepare nutritious meals and also find
time to nurture our souls seems nearly impossible. How do we find the time?
Perhaps part of the secret is in not thinking of them as separate activities or
as mutually exclusive.
As an example, creating a
positive environment in which to eat your meals nurtures your soul. Sit down to eat.
Set the table and use napkins and place mats that are attractive and appealing
to you. Consider playing music from your phone like jazz, pop or classical to
listen to while eating instead of having the TV blaring. Treat yourself to a
bouquet of fresh flowers or buy fresh fruit, put it in a bowl and have it be a
multipurpose vessel, which includes being a centerpiece for your table. There
are many creative ways you can design appeal into your visual environment in
order to nourish your soul.
Mindfulness is also an important ingredient that nourishes
both our bodies and soul. When we prepare nutritious food, serve it
attractively on right-sized plates and then eat it in a visually appealing
environment we can enjoy the experience more and feel satisfied at the end of
the meal. The hitch is acknowledging that this is occurring. By being aware of
what we are doing we actually enhance the experience. The little things we do
like eating off an
attractive plate or sitting down to eat can have a big impact on our overall
happiness. It is a way that gives us the time and space to enjoy life.
Acknowledging it lets us realize what we are doing to help ourselves and that
we have found the time to nourish both our body and soul.
Doing simple things to be kind to yourself nourishes your
soul. Fixing oatmeal in the morning for breakfast (in the microwave it takes 1
minute 37 seconds) or treating yourself to a beautifully designed
water bottle you can fill each day with fresh water to drink throughout the day
or taking a walk with a friend instead of going to have drinks after work all
feed the soul, help you live a healthier lifestyle and can also save you money
you can spend later on a healthy guilty pleasure or for saving up for a future
vacation. None of these ideas take more time than you are already spending;
they are simply alternate ways, which most probably will nurture your soul in a
way you currently aren’t in your everyday life.
Breathing as a conscious activity is a wonderful way to
nourish your soul, mind and body. This can be done before you get out of bed in
the morning, when you take a shower, in the restroom, in the car, waiting in
line, waiting on the phone when you are on hold and just before you go to
sleep. There are an amazing number of times during the day when you are waiting
or performing a task that is mindless or rout that provide the perfect moments
to breath. There are even
apps for it if you
want a more structured approach to beneficial breathing exercises. Just a
minutes worth of deep breathing leaves you feeling refreshed, in control and
better able to conquer the challenges in your life.
Surround yourself with
inspiring words and phrases. Words have a profound effect on us. Seeing, reading and
thinking about motivational words gives us hope, perspective and a sense of
possibility. Words that support us make us feel more in control and when we are
more in control we make better decisions, including about the food we eat.
Providing good nutrition for our souls is fundamental to
living a healthy lifestyle and it isn’t as hard as you think to do. Integrate
it into what you are already doing each day. It will make your activities and
tasks that much more enjoyable.
As always, Enjoy! And Live vibrant!
#NationalNutritionMonth
#FeedTheSoul
#mindandbody
#Mindfulness
#Intention
#Breathe
#positivechanges
#changeisgood
#NutureYourself
#HappyPlace
#Meditation
#Livliga
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