In this health-conscious age, we tend to think of nourishment in terms of diet and supplements. Having the proper nutrients are necessary for optimal health and growth; however, research has shown that 70% of a person’s total energy is related to our emotional well-being.(1) And, our sense of well-being is more “related to how we perceive the world than it is to the actual circumstances themselves.”(2)

This perspective is summed up by Reinhold Niebuhr’s (1892–1971) Serenity Prayer:

“[…]Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot

be changed; courage to change that which can be changed, and

wisdom to know the one from the other[…]“

 

You can embrace the value of nourishment by:

  • Proactively doing things that make you feel refreshed, replenished, and reassured.
  • Trying to change the things that make you feel depleted and discouraged.
  • Adopting an attitude of acceptance.

 

Statistically speaking, the chances of my order at a restaurant coming out wrong are pretty high. I used to think, “Why do they always mess up my food?” Now I think, “Yay, I’m going to get a complimentary dessert!” – I get a double dose of nourishment, one is a more optimistic attitude and the other is free pie.

Personal growth, positive change, and feeling nurtured do not demand a revolutionary overhaul of your current behavior. It is more of an evolutionary shift in how you think about your circumstances. Imagine yourself standing on a balcony overlooking the ocean. When you move your head slightly a few inches to the left or right, you see an entirely new 180-degree vista.

A new horizon of possibility and unique landscape of opportunity is always available to you—you just need to make a small shift in your perspective. Below are some reflection questions to help you with that shift.

 

 

  1. What does being nourished feel like to you?
  2. What nourishes you?
  3. What do you nourish in others?
  4. What aspects of your life feel under-nourished?
  5. What actions or attitude shifts need to happen to contribute to your well-being?
  6. Will you commit to making it happen in the next week?

Wishing you nourishment,

Stacey Zackin, PhD, MSW, PCC (Manager, WORK_SPACE)

 

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Footnotes:

 (1)The Emotional Energy Factor: The Secrets High-Energy People Use to Beat Emotional Fatigue by Mira Kirshenbaum

(2)Diener, E., Lucas, R. E., & Oishi, S. (2002). Subjective well-being: The science of happiness and self-satisfaction. In, C. R. Synder and S. J. Lopez (Eds.). Handbook of positive psychology (pp. 63-73). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.