Women’s
Magazine May 2003
NOURISHING
NEWS:
By
Debbie Sarfati
In
emotionally trying times such as these, it is particularly important
for us to give care and attention to our bodies. Emotional stress
changes our bodies physically, leading to many ailments including
headaches, stomachaches, poor sleep, lack of concentration, and
increased blood pressure (to mention only a few). The irony is that
when we are experiencing these symptoms, it feels harder to make
the effort to care for our bodies.
However,
caring for yourself is neither hard nor expensive and can be incredibly
rewarding.
Eat
Fresh Foods—Balance your body by eliminating “extreme”
foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugars, and refined foods. Eat whole
grains, which promote the production of serotonin and increase your
sense of well being. Eat lots of yellow, orange, and green vegetables
to boost your immune system.
Take
a Relaxing Bath—Warm water relaxes your muscles. Soak in the
tub with some essential oils like lavender and chamomile to relax
or peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus to re-energize.
Get
Outside—Fuel your body with oxygen and release your tension.
Take a brisk walk and feel your heart pump—or take a slow walk
and appreciate your surroundings. Connect with the sights and sounds
around you and with things that bring you peace.
Socialize—with
people who bring you joy. Cook them dinner, or let them cook you
dinner! See a funny movie or go to a comedy show. It’s okay
to allow life to not feel so “heavy” for a while.
Get
Extra Sleep—Be sure to get enough sleep to recharge your body.
Stress zaps your energy and can be very depleting. You may notice
that you want to stay in bed a little longer. Give yourself permission
to do so.
Journal—about
your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. When we write things down
we get them out of our body, to some degree. Get clear about how
you feel and what you need to do for yourself.
Drink
Herbal Tea—Relax with a soothing cup of chamomile, peppermint
or ginger tea to warm and soothe your body. My favorite places to
drink tea are in the bath, by the fireplace, or under the covers!
Healthy
Bites: Bok Choy: Bok Choy is a member of the brassica family and
offers nutritional assets similar to those of other cabbages: It
is rich in vitamin C and contains significant amounts of nitrogen
compounds known as indoles, as well as fiber—both of which
appear to lower the risk of various forms of cancer.
Bok
choy is also a good source of folate (folic acid). And with its
deep green leaves, bok choy has more beta-carotene than other cabbages,
and it also supplies considerably more calcium. The stalks and leaves
have quite different textures, so in culinary terms, it's like getting
two vegetables for the price of one!
Debbie
Sarfati is a Nutrition Counselor with many programs and classes
available. Contact her at debbie@wholenourishment.com, or 303-938-1468.
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