Do what nourishes you
What do I mean by this?
Beyond the root meaning of to ‘provide with food or other substances necessary for growth, health and good condition’, by to nourish I mean to care for your whole being- body, mind and spirit. There are innumerable ways to define what that actually means, what feels nourishing for one person may not for another, and that’s okay. With that in mind, here are some suggestions to consider:
-Spend focused time doing something you enjoy. No distractions, no interruptions, just you and what you enjoy. When you truly focus on doing something you enjoy, the brain releases a cocktail of neurotransmitters that enhance mood and quiet the mind. Perfect for reducing stress.
-Move your body. Humans weren’t designed to be sedentary. Take a walk, dance, do yoga, play with a pet, ride a bike, stand on your head. Regular movement has been shown to boost endorphins, reduce inflammation and improve sleep quality, and a little goes a long way. 15 minutes is better than no minutes. As a bonus, these are all things that can help decrease the experience of pain.
-Create healthy sleep habits. No screen time for 30-60 minutes before bed, go to bed around the same time every night, sleep in a cool room. It’s unrealistic to expect to have good quality sleeps every night, so assessing how you sleep and feel week to week can be a more useful indication of how well you are sleeping. You should wake up feeling refreshed most of the time, but of you wake up feeling unrefreshed more often than not speaking to a doctor may be wise.
And, of course, get a massage. Massage has been shown to stimulate the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system for a calming affect, as well as release neurochemicals that aid in relaxation and pain relief. Effects of massage are often temporary, so adopting a variety of nourishing activities can help prolong the positive affects of massage.
Whatever it is that nourishes your body, mind and spirit is worth making time for. Even little nourishing snacks through out the week can be enough to elevate your mood, improve your sleep and enhance your quality of life. If it feels like there isn’t enough time, remember a little goes a long way. Throw in some squats, colouring or reading while the coffee brews. Walk around the block before settling in for the night. Put the phone on Do Not Disturb for 15 minutes and focus on something that truly helps you wind down. It doesn’t need to be a big effort to do what nourishes you.