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One of the biggest challenges we face when it comes to keeping our bodies healthy is that we humans are not naturally inclined to think about long-term consequences of our behaviors but instead, we seek instant gratification. (I’m not saying this is good or bad, it’s just how we’re wired.) We don’t stop to think about the consequences that eating take out, drinking soda or smoking will bring 10 years from now while we’re at it. Our habits are stronger than our analytical thinking.
This lack of long-term perspective is of course worse in this economic climate. We are in survival mode and taking care of ourselves is a very small priority — if any at all. Rationally we understand why it’s important to listen and try to fulfill our bodies’ needs, but in reality we don’t take action. We underestimate greatly the damage that sustained stress and a low-quality diet does to the body. Yet, this is where disease starts.
I want to suggest though, that a recession can be very health-conducive if we are able to take a different perspective. I’m sorry to get all Buddhist on you, but we might as well accept what is and make the best out of it. And that can be a lot!
I got to think about this more after a recent session with a client. Her family’s budget has been cut drastically and she felt the need to start paying very close attention to her food bills. Nutrient-dense food for her two small children is her first priority and that leaves little room for processed foods, candy or snacks that she used to get. This situation could feel depriving, but is it really? In truth, her family has been eating more whole foods! In the long term, there’s definitely a higher likelihood that they will be healthier because of that.
Many people have lost their jobs and many have had their work hours cut drastically. It can be highly stressful, but there’s no such thing as having no options. Hard times force us to rethink what’s important, extend our comfort zone and become creative. If you are working 30 hours a week instead of 45, remember this is something that people fight for in France! I’m kind of kidding, but kind of not.
My mom — single mother of two — kept two jobs for almost 30 years. For that long, she didn’t sleep more than five hours a night and she had a LOT of stress and bad digestive issues. Recently talking to her, she told me she wondered how it would have been different if she had decided to have only one job. She said something I will never forget. “Yo me perdi la infancia de mis hijos por andar trabajando y eso no me lo dan otra vez.”— Oh geez, now I’m crying… “I missed my children’s childhood because I was busy working and that will not come back.” Of course she did what she thought was best at the time, but she knows that somehow we would’ve managed even with 50% of what we had — which wasn’t a lot.
Anyway, I was getting a little too sentimental there, but I hope that gets you thinking about your current situation. How are you better off now?
Tips! Tips! Here are some tips to keep your self-care a priority even now…
- Cook! Do I need to tell you why?
- Along the same lines, eat simply. It’s better for your body and for your budget.
- You know how Julia Child is hot again? Well, one thing we can recover inspired by her is the art of cooking every part of the animal and wasting less. Livers, hearts, feet, etc., are extremely nutrient dense and can be delicious if they are prepared properly. If you’ve ever been to France, Italy, Spain, South America… you might have a first person experience of what I’m talking about.
- If you have more time, then sleep more! Sleep is priceless.
- Instead of taking your children to the mall so that they can get yet one more thing they don’t need, take them to the park and really be with them.
- Be grateful for everything you have (and everything you don’t!). We take so much for granted…
- Host a yard sale. Get rid of stuff! It is one of the most healing things you can do for yourself.
- Grow some food.
- Rediscover simple pleasures. It’s sad that we have forgotten how to have fun without money.
- Become a member of the True Nourishment Inner Circle! If you want to be proactive about your self-care, this can make the difference between “I’d love to feel better and get healthier” and “It’s great to do this for myself and I’m really feeling better.”
Rethink your priorities and change your perspective. The “bad times” could be the best times for your health!
For Mama.
What do you think? How are you taking care of yourself and your family during the recession?
This post is part of Real Food Wednesdays hosted by Kelly the Kitchen Kop.
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I used to be caught up in working to get ahead of my peers but 3 years ago, after tending to my sick (and now very healthy!) child, I learned what was really important in my life. Although I have a full-time job, I am not missing her growing up. I make sure that we spend as much time together as we can. Eating healthy food is also a priority in our lives, even if others think that’s weird. Cooking is relaxing and creative for me, so eating healthy has multiple benefits.
The story about your mother really gets to me, because it reminds me of my mother. She didn’t miss out on our childhood but now that we’re grown up she has a job that’s gives her two jobs’ worth of work. Seeing what she’s going through has helped me be more firm about not letting myself fall into the same situation. But I worry about her because I know that stress may have long term consequences that she’s not thinking about right now (or maybe has thought about but has not given them enough importance).
Excellent article, Andrea!
Inspiring, touching and well written.
You rock!