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If you've been reading my tips, then you've read my "Feeding Our Body"
series. Some of my most popular tips are from this series, such as "Feeding Our
Skin", "Feeding Our Muscles", "Feeding Our Brain". Many of us may be "Feeding
Our Cravings" during this holiday season (food is oh
so tempting right now, isn't it?) so this prompts me to ask,
what about "Feeding our Soul"? Is there a connection between
feeding our cravings and feeding our soul at least some of the time?
And if we feed our soul more often, might we not need to feed our cravings as
much?
What do I mean by "Feeding Our Soul"? Feeding Our Soul means to
me "nurturing" ourselves whether we want to reward ourselves, pat
ourselves on the back, relieve stress, repair ourselves, or just make
ourselves feel good. It also means treating ourselves in a loving way on a
regular basis, whether we're building a "Feeding Our Soul" account or
responding to everyday life stressors in a healthy way. Of course I always
suggest we feed our souls in non-food ways (other substances apply too
if they hurt us). So, here then are just a few suggestions to feed our soul
whether it's a little every day or once a week.
Let's
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Take a walk in a park (even in the snow!), read a good book, watch a funny
movie, listen to our favorite music.
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Take a yoga deep breathing class, get a massage, take a long hot bath (men, how
about a professional barbershop shave, hot towels and all!).
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Take a 1/2 day off from all work and plan an escape fun day.
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Take a time out from everyone and everything and be selfish for just 10 minutes
a day (I like to sit quietly with no noise; some people meditate, just sitting
with my eyes closed does it for me!)
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Give ourselves daily praise and a daily compliment (yes,
everyday we might consider thinking about what we like and admire about
ourselves),
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Learn something new, try a new sport or activity, buy something fun or
something that will give us pleasure (I discussed this one with a client
just today, so scented candles, flowers to smell or look at, or anything
we would enjoy in our home or work environment to bring us a smile).
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Buy ourselves a holiday present! No need to explain this one.
Now of course, I always recommend that we engage in a regular exercise program,
and eat that we healthy foods as our base foundation of eating, since a
healthy lifestyle (notice, I didn't say perfect!) promotes
emotional & physical well-being. All which will help our energy and
mood too. What ever we do to feed our souls, let's consider ways (and
not other substances we may use from time to time that may taste or feel
good, but may not be good for us), that will bring us pleasure, feel
good, and be good for us during, after and even long after, we
do it.
Here's to Feeding Our Soul!
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As founder and director of The Nutrition at E.K.C. in New York City, June provides counseling in several specialized areas including Health & Fitness Assessments, weight loss, and sports nutrition for the active.
June's background includes her educational and practical experience which spans Exercise Science, Nutrition, and Behavioral Science. She is certified as a Lifestyle Counselor by the A
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