N.O.U.R.I.S.H. - YOUR BODY, MIND AND SOUL

How will you make yourself and the world better this day?

Time is a gift and it is our greatest non-renewable resource. During these COVID restrictions, I’m sure it seems like we have way more time now than we’ve ever had. This is actually an illusion because we have the same 24 hours in a day that we’ve always had. We are just spending our time differently these days and in more limited locations. What will you do with your time during this COVID crisis?

Here are a few tips to NOURISH your body, mind, and soul:

NUTRITION

This is probably the best time to eat healthy! We have been relieved of the option to go out to restaurants where we can easily consume those delicious hidden fatty and sugary calories. This can be a wonderful opportunity to learn some healthy new recipes while cooking from home. I can see the potential of many people during this phase to have a healthy transformation! After being in a cocoon of isolation, the chubby caterpillar can become a sleek and beautiful butterfly who emerges in the new world. It’s amazing how our nutrition can reshape and renew us! Use the time to buy and consume nutrient dense food. It seems to be quite available in the grocery stores unlike toilet paper and meat. Your body, soul and mind will thank you.

OPTIMISTIC – GRATITUDE & EMOTIONS

Begin each day with things that you are grateful for. Being appreciative of the location where you live in the world, your relationships, freedom, life experiences, and growth moments are easy places to start. There is so much to be thankful for. Take time each day to intentionally think, write, or speak thoughts of gratitude. While it is easy to get sucked into the negative vortex at this time and to go on the downward spiral of worry, fear, anxiety, and depression; make a different choice. Focus on positive feeling such as peace, joy, resilience, and abundance. Your focus, thoughts, and feelings will colour your perspectives and ultimately the outcomes that you have during this experience.

“U” AND YOUR TALENTS

What do you thrive at and what are your gifts? Perhaps you have special skills like the seamstresses who are creating make-shift masks for people. Maybe you have the gift of encouragement or empathy. How can you bless others and give of your incredible talents at such a time as this?

It is also an amazing time to grow your interests and skills and to learn something new. YouTube is full of educational and instructional videos. Times of chaos are opportunities for exploration, creation, and invention. What new areas will you learn or grow in?

RELATIONSHIPS

Now is the BEST time to connect with people. Most people are not as bogged down with overcrowded work schedules and are craving connection. It is an amazing opportunity to catch up with old friends and to check in with people you haven’t heard from in a while. There are so many ways to interact with others and in groups through FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or simply calling someone. Connecting with others also means listening. Make it a conversational goal to really listen to someone. One of the most amazing gifts you can give is to truly hear and understand another person.

INTENTION & PURPOSE

Setting an intention and purpose for each day helps us to feel more focused and productive. Most of our lives and lifestyles have radically shifted over the past month. We need to find a renewed purpose in our lives at this time. It can be good to have a vision of the big picture and to have some middle and short range goals. What are some big picture views that you have for your life? What activities will you plan to do tomorrow to help you take a step in the direction you want to go? How will you map out your life with intention and purpose over the next month or two?

SIMPLICITY & SLEEP

Not only has time seemed to slow down, it has caused us to go back to a simpler time. A time when we see how important the basics and necessities really are. During this time, we can discover what our real priorities are and live a simpler lifestyle. Many of us have been given a break from the chaos and we can get the rest we have been craving. This is a fabulous time to catch up on some sleep. Sleep is crucial to building our immune systems, and maintaining a healthy mental outlook.

HEALTHLY MOVEMENT!

It is amazing how much better our bodies and minds feel when we move. For now, even with physical distancing, we can still enjoy going for a hike, a walk, a run, or a cycle. Many people are getting creative with doing home workouts. There are many body weight exercises you can do such as squats, lunges, push ups or modified push ups against a counter, crunches, various planks, etc. With the use of some simple exercise pieces such as a TRX or bands, a person can do a complete body workout.

Wishing you the very best during this season and some healthy nourishment for your body, mind, and soul!