How to Practice Self-Care through Good Nutrition
As chaos and responsibility begin to fill your everyday schedule it is important to prioritize self-care into your routine. It is common for people to neglect their physical and mental health as responsibilities take over. You may be sacrificing self-care for convenience when it comes to your nutrition choices. Your relationship with the food you consume is essential to your health. Having good nutrition is the first step towards a healthy lifestyle. Smart food choices provide fuel for your body and are ultimately a form of self care. Keep reading to
Work Toward It
As the New Year is approaching in a few weeks it is common to hear the term “self-care” frequently as people are discussing their goals. Perhaps your kitchen is not currently stocked with the proper ingredients to eat healthily. Try and change a few items you purchase in your next trip to the store. Stocking your kitchen with essentials that help to make a nourishing meal easier. Building towards a better diet will take time and is an ongoing process.
Enjoy Your Meal
Perhaps you are the kind of person who enjoys your meal while sitting in front of a screen. Many times when people watch a show or video while eating they forget to slow down and enjoy the meal. When it comes to self-care, eating while distracted or on the go does not do much good for you. The solution is to slow down, unplug, and chew your food thoroughly. Slowing down and chewing allows the digestive system to process the meal better. When you give your digestive system time to digest a meal properly you will avoid feeling bloated and other stomach pain.
Listen to Hunger Cues
There are many who have difficulties following hunger cues because of old habits that are difficult to break. Some habits that people tend to fall into can be cleaning your entire plate despite feeling full or mindlessly snacking. Removing distractions may also help your body to absorb nutrients better. Following hunger cues also includes not ignoring your appetite. Prioritizing your nutrition will benefit your overall wellness. Taking the time to eat meals without any distractions will give you energy and improve your mood. Studies have also shown that a healthy diet is a large part in treating major depressive episodes.
Balance is Key
Creating a balanced lifestyle begins with balancing out your diet. Read the points below to see how you can better balance what you are eating.
- Add color to your plate
- Eat regularly
- Implement healthy fats
Balancing out your nutrition allows for greater diversity and boosts your immunity. In terms of self-care, having more color in your diet will boost your mood. Eating regularly keeps your metabolism calibrated correctly. It is not good to go long hours between each meal because your body will not feel completely fueled. When you examine your nutrition and diet be sure to see whether you are eating enough healthy fats. Focus on adding omega-3 fatty acids which are found in fish, avocados, and nuts.
Remember to prioritize self-care into your busy schedule. Self-care is not a selfish practice because you are watching over your personal health and wellbeing. As you set goals to improve your nutrition, you will see your mental health improve also. Visit the STEADY website to find supplemental products that could also benefit your nutrition.