How to Practice Self-Care Through Nutrition

Why Is Self-Care So Important?

Before navigating the world of self-care through nutrition, it’s probably a good idea to understand the core definition and goal of general self-care.

A self-care article published by Harvard Health Publishing at Harvard Medical School describes self-care in a simple, succinct way: “Self-care means paying attention to and supporting one’s own physical and mental health.” On top of that, the article adds that self-care also happens to be “a big part of treatment for many physical and mental health disorders.” Basically, self-care is a core pillar of overall health.

Without attending to one’s own bodily, emotional, and mental needs, how can that same person attend to anything or anyone else?

While self-care is a pillar to overall health, within self-care there are certain guidelines that can help you find total balance. These included obtaining a regular eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, — not getting enough sleep “causes irritability, poor cognition, impaired reflexes and response time (think: car accidents!),” and has also been linked to increased depression and anxiety — find ways to be physically active — “exercise busts stress, boosts the mood, and elevates our energy level, not to mention the heart health benefits” — calming your mind through personalized techniques — these may include meditating, yoga, “knitting, baking, walking, swimming [or basically] anything quiet and peaceful, when one can take deep breaths and be calmly, enjoyably focused.”

The last pillar is one that holds up all the rest – eating well. The self-care article from Harvard puts it best:

“The mountain of studies supporting a whole-foods, plant-based diet for our health is almost as large as the exercise one. Stay away from inflammatory, sugar-spiking, insulin-releasing foods like processed carbohydrates (think all added sugars and anything made with flour).

Aim for things that grew on plants or trees. The more colorful the fruits or vegetables, the more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants they have and the healthier they are. Vitamin pills and other supplements just don’t work as well. We don’t have to be perfect, but the more plant-based our diets are, the better.”

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