Celebrate Food - National Nutrition Week/Month

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a vision. It seeks "to increase the public's awareness of the importance of good nutrition and position registered dietician nutritionists as the authorities in nutrition." Each year (since the 1970s) the Academy emphasizes and celebrates food and nutrition through education and the promotion of scientifically based and credibly sourced information...and they share it with us each March.

Nutrition and physical activity are only two small parts of optimal wellness, but they are profoundly important when it comes to nourishing our minds, bodies and souls.  In addition to promoting science and celebrating professionals who help us live wholesome lives, this week here at Carolina Lifestyle Coaching and Consulting, LLC, we will highlight and share information that supports the wellness of our minds, our bodies and our souls.  Even if you haven't "bought into" the mind/body/spirit connection, I urge you to at least read some of what is posted this week.

I am not an expert in nutrition. I am not an expert in Buddhism. I am not a physical trainer. I am not even a holistic practitioner. But I AM a wellness coach who incorporates my mental health background with the navigation of intention and purpose when it comes to health and wellness.  I help others acknowledge the relatedness and interconnectedness of all of the components that make us "whole".

I believe that our thoughts, feelings, beliefs and perceptions about ourselves and the world in which we live affect how our bodies function. I believe that how we treat our bodies with food, rest, exercise, massage, vitamins and nutrients, posture, touch, skin care, hydration, and...affects how our minds operate. I strongly belief in the existence of the interrelationship between our minds, our bodies, and our souls.

I am not a practitioner of yoga. I don't meditate. I tried Tai-chi once. I don't agree with fad diets or over supplementing. I kind of like incense but I don't own any. I never bought the oils, or the powders, or the pre-packaged foods. Shakes? Nope. Juicing - it's okay. Exercise routines? Sort of.

I like to think simple but comprehensive and consistent. I help others focus more on developing the habit of balancing life- meaning attending all of the areas of wellness life with awareness, intention, and purposeful care so that our sense of self and mind is reasonably healthy. As a whole, we are made of many parts and each part plays a different role in our lives (think: school, work, church, exercise, hobbies, food/diet, finances, relationships, friends, self-care). Helping these pieces "acknowledge each other" and work together in a systematic connection of the (mind/body/spirit) is critical to individual personal development and optimal wellness.

College students in particular have many balls to juggle and normally the first ball to fall and roll away is the wellness ball.  Sleep is neglected. Food is either a fleeting thought or an overthought. Exercise is either a high priority or a nonpriority. Worry, stress, and anxiety become overbearing, causing emotional and mental discomfort. Substances are used in place of holistic treatments of the mind/body systems. Time alone to mentally and emotionally regroup and de-stress becomes nonexistent (FOMO or poor time management). Focusing on the outside instead of the inside takes over as a way of living.  Students float, get lost, or hide. It's easier.

So, this week, we will keep nutrition a priority here, but you will also notice many posts about general optimal wellness. We will touch on the importance of sleep (tips included), the need for hydration, the critical nature of mindfulness, and many more areas that make us a whole human being trying to maneuver this hectic life we lead. Please share this week with your friends and family.

Disclaimer: Articles and posts are not my own work.