Imagine your “happy place.” Where are you? What is it about this place that allows you to let go of stress? Now, come back to this reality. What can you do to gain that same feeling of relief?
As a university student, I've had ups and downs with stress. The first few years of my degree, I found I was feeling more overwhelmed that I'd ever felt before; I was having difficulty balancing school with life. When I did let myself break away from the books - to skate, hike, share dinner with friends, watch a movie, etc., I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. I found that I would return to my assignments feeling energized and ready to go. All this is to say: I wasn't very good at self-care.
What self-care means to me
Self-care is time we take to intentionally look after the many aspects of our health: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. It's time to reflect and refresh, and it looks different for everyone. Now, in the final months of my dietetic internship with Northern Health and getting set to launch into the “real world,” I’ve learned what self-care means to me: connecting with food! I've found I feel the most refreshed when I take the time to make and eat a meal or snack I'm excited about. I don't consider myself a gourmet cook by any means, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment when I create something from scratch. I choose the dish, I get the ingredients together, I decide which steps to follow and which to skip... it's a creative outlet that gives my food added value. A successful stint in the kitchen also gives me the chance to share something I'm proud of with friends and family. Heck, even if it wasn't successful, past triumphs give me the confidence to at least share a laugh!
Socializing around food is something I've come to value quite a bit. There are many great benefits to eating together, but what I like most is the opportunity to enjoy the company of others. Gathering around food allows us to come together, catch up, and share stories; it can be a means of self-care in itself. The best part is, it doesn't need to be complicated!
There are lots of ways to socialize around food
- Host a potluck
- Make snacks for the hiking trail
- Pack a picnic basket for the beach or park
- Make a snack to share in a blanket fort
- Share baking with coworkers or your community group
- Join a local community kitchen or cooking club
- Berry pick in your favourite berry patch
- Explore a local farmers’ market
- Volunteer to cook or serve food at a community dinner
...the possibilities are endless!
March is Nutrition Month, and Northern Health dietitians are encouraging you to share how you gather around food. What food-related activities will give you a break and let you breathe that sigh of relief?
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