NOURISHMENT: food or other substances necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Beyond making sure we eat a healthy, clean, and balanced diet free of toxic chemicals, steroids, hormones and pesticides, it’s essential to ask ourselves how we nourish all the other areas in our lives? Noted Motivational Speaker Tony Robbins believes that human beings have 6 basic needs:
1. Certainty-“to be comfortable, avoid pain and have some level of consistency” 2. Uncertainty-“we need variety and change to feel alive” 3. Significance-“we need to feel unique, special and important” 4. Connection/Love-“to give and receive affection and support from others” 5. Growth-“to become more, break through stagnation. We either grow or die.” 6. Contribution-“to give beyond ourselves”
Now I can hear you in the background yelling “What are you kidding me, I barely have time to get my kids to school and I eat standing up most of the time” or “My kids come first, my partner will just have to wait,” or “Who has time for community service, I barely have time to make the bed,” or “I can’t change careers at my age, ” yada, yada, yada! Self- nourishment is the key to a long, healthy and joyful life. If we don’t take care of ourselves first, how can we take care of others? The million dollar questions are:
How can we successfully nourish ourselves amidst the frenetic day to day of our lives?
How can we find the balance that can create an environment conducive to self-nourishment?
Can we overcome our guilt and self–judgment, juggling all the balls in our lives trying to get it all “right.” Can we even create the space for self-nourishment?
The ladies in our Circle shared thier ways of self-nourishing:
You must learn to trust your inner voice, know what feels good for you and turn off the voices in your head telling you “you should” be doing.
Change the way you think about the uncertainty life brings and embrace change as the new normal
Consider yoga, breathing and meditation practices
Show gratitude for all you are each and every day
Demonstrate your love and kiss your kids daily
Connect regularly with friends
Make sure to get a good nights sleep
Eat as cleanly as you can—understanding food is medicine regulating all systems of the body. Try to avoid eating Genetically Modified Foods (GMO’s) in order to keep pesticides and herbicides out of your bodies. Eat organic when possible and know where your food is sourced
Bathe in Epsom and Dead Sea Salts
Walk—get out in nature, stick your hands in the earth, garden, go barefoot, tap in to the beauty around you
Turn on your creativity—draw, dance, cook—whatever brings you joy and a sense of peace and calm
Be mindful of sources of electromagnetic radiation from wireless devices in your home, which can cause sleeplessness, headaches, etc.
Connect with your partner—make more time for sex and alone time
Give back through helping others in need, whether through your personal time or your wallet
How do you nourish yourself?