This week’s content is provided by Carrie Savaia, Carenet Health Coach. Carrie is a Certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NB-HWC). This post kicks off a seven-part series..
As we navigate the changes and challenges in our current times, finding balance within ourselves can feel overwhelming. In this seven-part series, I’ll share seven ways you can become more connected to yourself, and find balance through nourishing your body and mind with the goal of ultimately living a healthier life.
As a health coach, it is my priority to help guide people toward lasting lifestyle change by implementing daily practices to benefit their overall wellbeing. Nourishment is defined by Oxford Dictionaries as the food or other substances necessary for growth, health and good condition. So how can you nourish yourself? Follow along with me today in Part 1: Nutrition!
Part 1: Nutrition
Eat with your health in mind
- Start each day with warm lemon water. This promotes hydration and detoxification. Lemon water offers the body an opportunity to cleanse and boost digestion. Starting the day here will have a lasting impact on your health.
- Plan out your meals in advance. This will take the guesswork out of the process. Making a meal plan is a great strategy to implement on your day off so that you are prepared throughout the work week. Consider your busiest workday in making your plans so that no matter what curveballs get thrown your way, you are set up for success. Even if you’re working from home, having your lunches packed and ready to eat will help you stick to your plan. Have a crock pot? Maybe it’s time to break that out of the closet and delegate out some of the work!
- Shop for seasonal foods. Nutrient-rich produce provides immune boosting health benefits based on the time of year. We’ve all heard the phrase, “eat the rainbow,” and that fits here, as well! Make your plate as colorful as you can, and you’re sure to benefit from receiving the nutrients your body needs to fight disease, balance hormones and boost brain function. When you’re shopping, also consider your meal plan and try not to over-buy on the things that lead to unhealthy snacking.
- Limit indulgences, especially during times of stress. It might feel good to sit down with a bag of cookies and binge your favorite TV show after a stressful day. Or maybe you find yourself snacking at your desk all day while working from home since the pantry is right there. The feeling you get from eating the cookies or chips can be found in other activities that offer the same de-stressing benefits, while also keeping your nutrition in balance. Consider a walk instead. A 10-minute yoga session could give you that quick stress release that you’re looking for! If you’re snacking at your desk, maybe you could choose something like nuts or vegetables instead.
The process of nourishing yourself takes time to establish. That’s exactly why this is a seven-part series! Baby steps are the best way to implement new practices, so if you start with one step at a time, you’ll be more likely to have lasting results.
Stay tuned for part 2: Exercise!