8 ways to nourish your body and mind

Hi guys! I’m excited that I’ll be guest posting on the amazing Lorna Jane Move Nourish Believe blog again! I wanted to share with you my most recent guest post on there sharing ways to nourish your body and mind. You can check out the original post here, plus more awesome posts from their team! I’ve also included the blog post below. What are ways you nourish your body and mind? I’d love to know! xo

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Today I’m going to share with you a few tips on how to nourish your body and your mind. Nourish always means feed, sustain and maintain and typically is used in a context of growth and health. I think it’s equally important to feed your body – with exercise and food and water – but also to sustain your mind. They are tied and work hand-in-hand and many of my tips for nourishing your body and mind relate to both of them at the same time.

1.    Take time to exercise

Even if it’s only for 20 minutes every single day. Get outside of the office. Take a walk. Wake up early for that morning Pilates class. Swim after work. Start a running club. Do anything and everything you can to get your body moving. I’ve seen a huge difference in the way my body – and my mind – feels after I break a sweat and do something active.

2.    Appreciate the small things

On my blog, I share about what I’m thankful for and it’s been a great way for me to document the big and small things that make every day so great. Some days, it’s way easier to notice those things and some days, I’m struggling to list out three things that I’m thankful for. The number isn’t what matters, it’s just that you are counting and on the lookout for something – even small – to be grateful for. That cup of peppermint tea before bed, the small child laughing hysterically in the park, the first sip of water after waking up, a few minutes of stretching, texts from one of your grandparents. None of these things are monumental – but they are small, daily, lovely things that are worth noticing and nourish you from the inside out.

3.    Do something new

This is an awesome way to not only challenge and nourish your body in a new way, but to sharpen your mind and get you thinking of something else. Maybe it’s a painting class or a new group exercise class at the gym or visiting a coffee shop in your town you haven’t been to before. There’s something really special about breaking up your daily routine with something different.

4.    Blast music and move

I think the not-so-awesome days are the ones that make me realise how much I love music. I LOVE turning up the volume and blaring a feel good song, anything from a 90s throwback to Beyonce’s latest jam (who doesn’t love Queen Bey?). I love being able to dance and scream at the top of my lungs to lyrics. It’s a mini three or four minute vacation from reality you can take every single day.

5.    Pray or meditate

Writing in my prayer journal is a daily ritual that has become extremely soothing to me. It’s a way to document what I’m struggling with and hoping for. It’s a safe place for me; a place where I write openly and honestly. I highly recommend spending a few moments each day in prayer or meditation, even to just get outside of your head. Prayer and meditation of course help soothe the mind, but I’ve noticed that it helps with my physical health too. On days where I’m conscious and purposeful about prayer, I feel better. I have that added skip in my step, I feel refreshed and awake and ready to tackle whatever comes my way.

6.    STRETCH

This one doesn’t even need to be explained. Starting and ending your day with a few minutes of stretching makes all the difference. Do it!

7.    Spend time with people who challenge and encourage you

I’m so inspired by one of my friends who is currently training for a marathon. Of course, I’m inspired by her running skills and her diligence to train every single day, but the coolest part is that she has a group of girlfriends she runs with. They all have different goals and different paces, but that doesn’t matter. They encourage each other and push each other and celebrate each other – and that is SO awesome. Being surrounded by people like this when you’re working out is amazing and it’s just as important to be surrounded by those people in your day-to-day, non-exercising group situations. Don’t spend time with people who make you feel like less than who you are and who aren’t pushing you to be better and happier on a daily basis.

8.    Put healthy food (and tons of water) into your body

The most obvious and easy way to nourish your body is to fill it with wholesome, healthy and nutritious foods. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits and nourish your body with food that makes you stronger, brighter and feeling good. Luckily, Lorna Jane does an awesome job giving recipe and snack ideas on the MNB blog and on Instagram.