As we head into the holidays, it's worth thinking through the idea of what we eat. I don't mean just food, but rather the entire concept of consumption and nourishment - and the difference between the two.
The old cliché of "we are what we eat" is really true, of course, on a basic biological level. If we survive on foods with very little nutrients, we simply don't feel as well. When we don't have the range of nutrients that we need, we're not providing our bodies with the energy it needs to perform, heal, strengthen. But beyond food, the concept applies to our intellectual and emotional consumption as well.
I've mentioned (too often, probably) on here my love of travel. But that's exactly why I mention it: travel feeds me. I'm not sure how else to explain it but I feel fulfilled when I'm out in the world - I feel most myself. On a recent trip, I reconnected with friends and family I hadn't seen in years, even decades, and after every get together, I felt that fulfillment, that nourishment. Spending time with people we love is another way to feed ourselves emotionally.
The upcoming holidays can be stressful for anyone because longstanding family dynamics are exacerbated. If profound loss is involved, even more so. I know I couldn't face the holidays in 2019 so I traveled for November and then spent Thanksgiving with friends at a restaurant just to be sure that it would be completely different than my traditions with Bill. So, before the holidays are here, it's worth asking yourself: What kinds of activities feed me? These can be anything - hiking, going to see a movie, getting a coffee with a friend - but think through the things that you feel happy and satisfied after doing. Similarly, think about who fills you up. We all have people in our lives that leave us feeling depleted - is it really necessary to spend your emotional energy there? Who do you feel energized around?
The environment we ingest, so to speak, can be just as important as the food that we eat. Be sure to provide your mind and soul with the best possible nutrients.
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