‘Self-Care’ ... A new thinking for ‘Preventive Nutrition’

Truly speaking, ‘self-care’ has taken a backseat. We have all the time for our job; left-over time is spent on personal tasks or may be with family or friends! We push our limits to deliver the best to the world or to our profession but remain completely oblivious to the most critical factor to all performances, ... to Care for Self! 

Well, we don’t mean a spa-day or a weekend getaway twice a year, or a meditation course as a spell of ‘self-care’. Neither an association with pampering sessions, relaxation or mental well-being through a simple get together! Since they all provide transient impact, the delight wanes off before creating any lasting cleanse to our body. So, what we mean, “self-care is a continuous, everyday process of taking active essential care for our body & mind (and our soul)”. 

We are so familiar to ‘GIGO’ (garbage in garbage out) in all professional areas, but we don’t relate it to our own system, i.e., eating right to get the right output, nutrition! Not just that, understanding the pre-signals, discomforts at its right perspective (what we call ‘listening to our body’) and responding to it at the right earnest is the fundamental of ‘self-care’. Even giving our body proper nourishment to heal after a sickness or to prevent a possible health episode is also the real essence of self-care. To love and accept self equally important even on days we are too busy taking care of others; it is all about embracing good and bad days alike and still finding the strength to take care of self.

Contrary to the misconception, let’s believe, “Self-care is NOT selfish; it just means you are putting your health first, as you rightly should.” 

Why not just reflect, when was the last time you paid attention to what your body was telling you? Did you choose that ‘caffeine boost’ over a nourishing energizer because life felt too busy? Or did you ignore your hunger pangs, thinking you weren't exercising enough to deserve a bite?

It's time to prioritize self-care through the lens of nutrition, listening to those subtle cues that indicate our body’s needs. We may often notice frequent cough & cold may be due to weak immunity or get a fussy stomach after eating out. We experience frequent eye fatigue when we overwork on computers; feel lethargic and pain / burning at urination due to possible urinary tract infections (UTIs) etc. Most often we brush them aside since visiting a clinician is of great inconvenience in India. Worst is when we keep suffering but not do anything hoping the problems would subside soon on its own better. And then, most often, those minor discomforts aggravate to a full-blown illness demanding clinical care, bedrest, medicines and colossal waste of time - cost and - suffering.  This is where the concept of preventive nutrition comes into play—a crucial aspect of a comprehensive self-care principle, that we often are ignorant or overlook!

A preventive mindset is about being proactive rather than reactive. About taking care of your health before your body gives in to sickness. It involves taking recourse to strategic / specific nutritional supplementation and dietary principles to avert illnesses before they manifest. It’s about fostering a deeper connection with our own physiological processes. By being attentive to the signs our bodies are signaling, we can manage these minor health hiccups effectively. 

For instance, when you notice constant fatigue or sensitivity in your eyes after long hours of screen time, it might be beneficial to consider nutrients like lutein, zeaxanthin/astaxanthin and certain vitamins that cleans the oxidative radicles created in our eyes by the blue light (screen time). Similarly, if you're experiencing recurring digestive issues, focusing on probiotics and dietary fibers could help fortify your gut and boost your gut-immunity.

Listening to your body and thinking of it as an interactive conversation is key. When you feel under the weather, ask yourself:

∙ What might be causing this?

∙ Have I been stressed?

∙ How’s my diet?

∙ Am I getting enough sleep?

Self-reflection allows one to make informed choices about health and nutrition. Medications rectify situations of sickness or abnormality when things go out of hand. ‘Self-care’ interventions like nutraceuticals, boosts your natural healing power and to prevent illness or even reduce intensity of suffering. Unfortunately, many people despite recognizing the importance of self-care, cannot put prudent actions in practice/habit; they cannot grasp how nutrition intertwines with diseases. Ignoring health signals can lead to imbalances or systemic disturbances leading to various symptoms, deficiency gaps in functions, giving rise to/ aggravating many chronic diseases or immunity laps helping invaders to infect. Simply put, diseases across the spectrum, communicable or non-communicable, can fundamentally be rooted in nutritional gaps. 

Finally, how do we integrating this principle of preventive nutrition into our ‘self-care’ routine that doesn’t become time-consuming or overwhelming. Here are a few simple steps to begin:

1. Stay Hydrated: Water is vital. Ensure you’re drinking enough throughout the day.

Think about infusing it with fruits or herbs for added benefits.

2. Balanced Diet: Aim for a colorful plate. Diverse fruits and vegetables, whole grains,

Lean proteins and healthy fats provide a wide range of nutrients that work in harmony.

3. Supplement wisely: While whole foods should be your priority, consider supplements if you have specific dietary needs. 

(We can connect a nutritional consultant if you require ... Do write to us) 

4. Regular Self-Check: Schedule brief intervals throughout your week where you assess how you feel physically and mentally. Are you experiencing any discomfort? Are you nourishing your body properly?

5. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about nutrition and health. Read articles, attend workshops, or join groups focused on nutrition . Knowledge empowers you to make better choices.

In summary ..  

1. Listening to your body is crucial for maintaining overall health

2. Prioritizing preventive nutrition in your ‘self-care’ routine can reduce the risk of serious health issues

3. By incorporating above 5 practices, you can transform your ‘self-care’ routine from indulgence to a practice of nourishment  

4. Consider supplements to support your ‘self-care’ journey