Preparing Your Body For Winter
Our friend Tanya Trofimencoff, local holistic nutrition counsellor at DNC Wellness, is back with this week’s topic! She always has the most practical suggestions, and with this important topic we hope you’ll take away something helpful for you as the winter season approaches! Here's more information about her services if you are interested.
This weekend, we are co-hosting a retreat at Station 33 Cafe & Yoga in Hampton, so it’s a great week to share more from Tanya! Click here to learn more: https://www.facebook.com/events/33-station-st-saint-john-nb-e2l-canada/get-grounded-retreat/558796226489817/
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As we're slowing down in the Fall and preparing for Winter, this is a great opportunity for introspection and supporting your body for the colder coming months. With the changes in temperature there can be immune system challenges for some; here are a few tips to boost your immune system through the changes and support your body. Hydration, proper sleep, and exercise are three key foundational pieces that will support your digestion and overall health. Your body needs a break, so here are a few food choices that can make digestion go a bit smoother.
Foods That Are Easier to Digest (Local, organic is best)
1. Hot soups - especially bone broths
2. Steamed Vegetables - easier to digest than raw vegetables
3. Plenty of fruits and berries - organic is best
3. Plenty of fruits and berries - organic is best
4. Proteins - eggs, fish, tofu, tempeh, chicken & beef (organic, no hormones or antibiotics is best), beans & lentils ( soak them overnight to ensure proper absorption of nutrients).
5. If you're not consuming fish, omega-3 supplements with DHA & EPA support cognition
6. Flaxseed, chia seed, hemp seed, avocado
6. Flaxseed, chia seed, hemp seed, avocado
What is mental wellness?
In this particular case, I will touch on beliefs and thoughts. Core beliefs are learned from a young age and can magnify as we get older and new ones are picked up along your journey. Some of these core beliefs are played out in your day-to-day life automatically and if you start to notice your thoughts, you can discover those core beliefs.
How can you start noticing thoughts? Instead of pushing your mind to "clear" take time in the day to notice your thoughts, allowing them to flow as they are without judgment. As you observe your thoughts (15minutes is ideal), take some time to record them in a journal afterward. This practice can provide insight and by allowing thoughts to have space you can discover hidden beliefs.
Another technique is to go on a 30-minute walk daily and notice your thinking patterns. Sometimes solutions to a repeated life issue might come up, or an ongoing annoyance, or conversations, past unpleasant encounters, worries, automatic thoughts, etc. Take note of thoughts before, during, and after your walk to familiarize yourself with your inner world.
Some thoughts are anchored in harmful core beliefs and manifest as unpleasant daily emotional experiences. Beliefs, thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are linked. The goal of these practices is to start identifying potential unhelpful thinking patterns (available online), identify and challenge harmful core beliefs, and reduce daily mental stress.
Mental wellness is really linked to emotional wellness as well with belief at the root. So I invite you to discover your roots and create new thinking patterns to support emotional, physical, and mental wellness.
NOTE: Noticing thoughts might be challenging/disturbing for some people. It may be advisable to do these exercises with a counsellor/guidance from a professional.
Disclaimer: All information provided is from your Holistic Nutrition Counsellor. I am not a doctor; consultation with a doctor is recommended.
In health,
-Tanya
