What comes to mind when you think of nourishment? ‘Holistic’ nourishment addresses the psychological, emotional, physical and social areas of our lives. While all these aspects may be fed separately, they are all interlinked. For some people, the loss of appetite may be replaced by stress eating. Still, the underlying concept is the same: an imbalance in our emotions disrupts our physical, social and psychological well-being.
How then do we find the perfect balance? Food is the number one answer for most of us. However, we forget that nutrition is not the only source of “nourishment” per se. This doesn’t mean that diet is not important in our lives. In fact, the importance of carbs, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and so on cannot be emphasised enough. They provide our bodies with the necessary energy to run our day-to-day activities.
Nonetheless, the mind and body work together as a whole. The brain does not take up 20% of your blood just to think about food. Here are some great are all-rounded approaches to nourishment:
1. Connect with Mother Nature
This is a great way to nourish both our bodies and minds in addition to maintaining emotional, psychological and physical balance in our lives. On the surface, this can sound too theoretical. Introspect for a minute and try to remember the last time you simply enjoyed some sunshine, clean oxygen or a glass of water. Taking these things for granted does not mean they don’t add value to your life. They stand to be more valuable to your well-being if you consciously enjoy them.
2. Physical activity
This can encompass various physical engagements including yoga, jogging, walking, traditional strength training, and sports. Yoga is known to offer body and mind relaxation. Many people do not realise that these other types of physical activity also have the same effect. Try to reduce your TV time and engage in a 20-minute physical activity today. Don’t just do the action, the key is to enjoy it. You’ll love the effect.
3. Work on your relationships
It is easy to spend our days immersed in work or unhealthy relationships and fail to spend time with the truly special people in our lives. Appreciating the small gestures from people that add value to our lives not only improves our social life but also elevates our psychological health. Eliminating unhealthy relationships also helps to relieve stress and creates more time for valuable people and activities.
4. Explore interests and inspirations
These vary from one person to the other. Singing or listening to a song, reading a book, and art are popular hobbies and interests that nourish us. Did you know that reading a book has been shown to prevent Alzheimer’s and reduce stress by 68%? Spend at least 45 minutes a day doing something that you love. It will give you something to look forward to every day.
5. Self-care and meditation
A peaceful mind is essential to your overall well-being. Taking time to meditate daily helps to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and develops clear personal and social structures. Simple self-care activities such as visiting a spa, getting a massage or dressing in clothes that make you feel great can help boost your confidence and happiness. This enhanced perception of ourselves is also reflected in the way we treat the people around us.
What are the Benefits of a holistic approach to nourishment?
- Strength and endurance: A holistic approach to nourishment strengthens the body and mind and makes it easier to deal with physical and mental pressure.
- Resistance to physical and psychological illness: Physical activity and a healthy diet in addition to social and psychological wellness techniques develops resistance to conditions such as memory loss, obesity, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure and disease.
- Improved relationships: Acknowledging the people in our lives and their value builds stronger and long-lasting relationships. We are capable of giving and receiving more love and support.
- Finding purpose: Holistic nourishment advocates self-care, meditation and inner reflection, which are essential to understanding our life’s purpose and the path we are destined to take.
As humans, two of our primary objectives in life are finding pleasure and reducing or preventing pain. Adopting a holistic approach to nourishment is the key to a truly happy and fulfilling life. It feeds the body, mind and spirit, which ultimately improves the quality of life’s experiences.
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