5 Simple Nourishing Ways to Nurture Yourself during Covid-19
Amanda StansfieldHello Beautiful,
There’s a lot of stress, anxiety and fear in our world right, and while you might be feeling both highs and lows there is no wrong emotion. Your day might start off with incredible energy and then turn sluggish as the day continues. Notice when this is happening. Are you over consuming social media or spent too much time watching the news? Have you forgotten to get outdoors — regardless of the weather? Have you chatted with someone you love? Are you nourishing your body with healthy whole foods? Allow yourself time to feel any emotion that comes up, but remember not to allow stressful feelings takeover in a way that negatively impacts your health and happiness.
We are all in this together! You are not alone if you are having feelings of doubt, overwhelm and panic. It’s times like this that you have to say yes to your health and happiness and show up! Choose to show up for you mind, body and spirit health not just now, but also for your future self. You will feel better emotionally, physically, be a better mum, dad, caregiver. Honestly when you show up you are spreading your positive energy into your community and ultimately the world, and this is how we create change.
You might be wondering what exactly showing up looks like? Well, let me tell you, there is no right answer and what works for me will most likely be different to you. But by following my simple 3 pillars to optimal health and happiness as a starting base you’ll find what works best for you.
Remember, If you wake up feeling irritable or overwhelmed it’s ok, you can transform that energy, I promise! Gently acknowledge how you feel, then choose to take action. It’s essential you continue your self-love practices that were already part of your daily routine. You might add one or two more rituals to your daily routine, or linger a little longer in your meditation, or spend an extra 5 minutes walking out in nature.
Download my Free Self-Love Rituals to help inspire you.
Five simple ways to nourish yourself during any stressful time
Breathe
It’s valid and necessary to feel all of your feelings, but when you start to feel feelings of anxiety, fear, stress, or overwhelm takeover, take a moment to pause and breathe. Consciously focus on breathing in and out. As you breathe in silently say “love,” as you breath out, silently whisper “peace”. These are love nuggets, words that are spoken with a loving and gentle voice inside your head. Notice If you are not quite ready to speak to yourself in a loving voice. You know… if you hear your inner critic or mean girl being a bully. Get up and move your body first. Spend some time walking, practicing yoga, take a booty kicking barre class, HIIT class, or any other form of physical movement that gets your out of your head, quietens your inner meal girl voice and back into your heart.
Insight Timer, headspace are a couple of my favorite free apps that offer guided meditations. Deepak Chopra has incredible guided meditations that I swear by. Listen to any of my meditation playlists:
Stress reduction meditation playlist
Ultimately, any form of conscious breathing exercises, mindfulness practice, prayer or meditation supports you health and happiness.
Practice Mindful Consumption
Beautiful, you are what you consume. And I’m talking more than what you put inside your body. There’s a lot of noise happening in the world right now, especially in the news which can create fear and intensify stress. Yes it’s important to be fully aware of our current global crisis, but equally important is the time you spend on YOU. I want you to unplug from technology and spend time in your own world. See what in your life right now can fill you with love and joy.
If you feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, and overwhelm are at an all time high, this is the time to take a break from social media and the news. Instead, focus your energy on filling your life with positivity and light. Listen to uplifting podcasts, music, an audio book, watch a comedy (laughter is incredible for our soul). Try making one of my delicious treats, or healthy snacks. Reach out to a loved one. Zoom, face time and other apps are allowing us to still see the people we love even though they are not in our direct presence. Listen to what your body needs, she knows exactly what will nourish your soul.
Eat nourishing whole foods
You are not alone! I know first hand how easy it is to keep snacking while at home. I think in our first week of quarantine, my girls and I ate our way through 3 batches of my Sunbutter Fudge. It’s seriously addicting. But let’s get serious… choose nutrient dense whole foods as the biggest source of your food intake. Limit processed foods, sugar, alcohol and caffeine. Instead, make your own nourishing meals. Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas. Eat fresh fruits and veggies as a snack. And if you are craving sometime sweet allow it to be a treat!
I promise you, the healthier you eat, the healthier and happier you’ll feel!
Move your body
If you have been following me on social media — instagram or facebook, you’ll know how strongly I believe in a daily movement practice. It doesn’t matter whether you practice Yoga, Barre, Twerk, throw a dance party in your undies or walk in nature. Just commit to moving your body in a way that feels good to YOU!
Regular movement reduces stress and increases our feel good hormones which support a healthy immune system, not to mention you’ll sleep so much better.
Affirmation
Honor exactly how you are feeling, the good and the bad, but remember that nothing is permanent. This too shall pass. You can read more about how to practice affirmations here.
Have you tried my 30 days of SELF LOVE Challenge?
Do one thing today that brings you joy. Share what it is with me on Facebook Post your self love celebrations on Instagram (tag me @amandavs and #amandavs, #healthyissexy) I’d love to see all the love you are sharing with the world.
Share our little secret with your friends and family. Healthy is sexy! Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter to receive health tips, recipes, motivation mantras and so much more direct to your inbox.
XO Amanda