The concept of nourishment has been on my mind and heart lately.  Perhaps it’s related to the changing seasons, and looking towards the holiday season in which food is such a centerpiece.

As you may be able to relate, the holidays can be times of so much joy and love, while also being times of stress and anxiety. The holiday season and large gatherings involving food still increases my anxiety and brings back memories of the eating disorder and all that those years of my life entailed. During those years, the concept of nourishment was foreign to me. However, as my relationship with food and my body has healed, I am seeking more nourishment in my food, my relationships, my life in general.

The concept of nourishment is a complex one, but one worth exploring. I love the word itself- it’s so complex and there are so many layers to it. Nourishment includes not only food and water, but also the quality of our relationships with friends, family, nature, and more. To be nourished means being fully present. If we’re rushing through meals, conversations, and life in general, can we say our life has a nourishing quality?

Utilizing the following prompts may also help in examining the amount of nourishment in your life:

• What makes you feel good? How often do you engage in this?
• When do you feel nourished by food? What circumstances would make your meal a more nourishing experience overall?
• Perform a nourishment inventory.Examine the following parts of your life and how nourishing they are. These can include the following:
  • people
  • places
  • thoughts
  • feelings
  • substances

The concept of nourishment has challenged me to take a look at areas of my life that lack nourishment, and what actions I can take to improve the quality of these experiences. For me this often includes slowing down and being present during meals, and being more mindful of actively listening when I’m with friends.

What do you think of when you think of nourishment? I’d love to hear how this concept resonates with you!

The light in me honors the light in you.