While it is useful to have knowledge and helpful tips, ultimately it is how we nourish ourselves in a full sense that matters. The people I talk to mostly know what to eat: it is eating when they didn’t intend to that causes problems.
We eat for so many reasons. Difficult conversations or relationships send us to the refrigerator. Food choices are usually worse when we are tired, or frustrated, or overwhelmed. I’ve often heard emotional eating described as “filling a black hole.”
In all these situations, we are seeking nourishment. But not necessarily food. I suspect that feeling nourished is one of the really deep human needs, and one that we are not very skilled at.
How do we nourish ourselves? Besides food (we have that one down, but it doesn’t help for very long), where do we find nourishment?
I think this is a fundamental question. I’m not really sure what the answer is, but I think it is still important to keep asking the question. It is one of those questions that we can hold open and gradually work our way into the answer.
Even for those of us who don’t fill the black hole with food, we often have an assortment of behaviors that we use to “fill” it (or stuff it!)
Some people eat. Some gamble. Some drink. Some shop. My own “fix” is constant activity, relentless “doing”. It doesn’t have calories, but I don’t think it is any healthier – stress can play as much havoc as food with our internal systems.
So how do we nourish ourselves? What I notice is that I’m happiest when I slow down – even when it is just a little. That there is something about the small things in life that feels nourishing.
Sunsets. A child’s hug. The beautiful oak tree at the end of the street. The birdsong in early morning. My cat stretched out full length in cool shade. A heart to heart talk.
These are some of the things that I have noticed are nourishing – when I remember to notice. That might be the crux. Remembering to notice!
But this is an exploration without set answers. It might be that we each have to find what nourishes us. We may each need to pay attention to when we feel nourished, and learn to let it in – to really, fully, let ourselves experience it.
It may help to bring intention. To think of how the little things – like the feel of warm dishwashing water on our hands – are nourishing. Just acknowledging it might amplify it.
I don’t know . . . what do you think? What have you learned or noticed or wondered? What nourishes you?
Visit http://healthyhabitscoach.com to get my monthly newsletter, the Wellness News.
Eat well!
