Root Vegetables

I’ve been sharing about the different root causes of building health, and as I plan my grocery list for next week (my job is always to make the roasted root veggies for Thanksgiving dinner) there are surely lots of edible roots on that list.

But what about the intangible roots? Listed below are some ways that you may already be leaning into other roots of health around Thanksgiving, without realizing!

Let’s give credit where credit is due, and remind ourselves that a healthy life is so much more than calories in and calories out.

This Thanksgiving, perhaps nutrition in the usual sense of the word takes a back burner. In fact, lets focus on nourishment, not nutrition. I’m suggesting we lean into the other roots of health that are equally as important.

The 5 Root Causes of Health and (Dis)ease:

1. Relationships
2. Sleep and Relaxation
3. Stress
4. Movement and Exercise
5. Nutrition

Let’s give those other roots a moment to shine this season:

Relationship Root

-Purposefully lean into cultivating social connection, and deepen relationships

-Enjoy meaningful conversations with family and friends and stay present

-Be nice to yourself, give yourself grace

-Lean into the things that give you true energy and enjoyment

-Connect in your community by giving to others, or volunteering

Sleep/Relaxation Root

-Let yourself settle into moments of relaxation, even if for just a minute

-Watch the Macy’s Day Parade in awe of the art produced by this iconic event

-Watch the Annual Dog Show and wonder how that dog that looks like a mop is real

-Watch football (if you’re into that sort of thing- I’m still trying)

-Relax and enjoy time doing nothing with family and friends, it’s okay to just ‘be’

-Give yourself few extra hours of sleep with the extra day off work

Exercise and Movement Root

-Run that Turkey Trot

-Decide to go on a family walk around the neighborhood after eating dinner

-Stretching or gentle yoga while thinking about all that you have to be grateful for

Stress Root

-Decide to delegate tasks so you don’t spend the entire day in prep mode

-Maybe you order the pie this year, instead of yet again trying to master Ina Garten’s perfect pie crust (to no avail)

-Create a new tradition, or get a change of scenery (introduce novelty)

-Know that no one cares what your dish looks like, there’s plenty of good food

-Allow yourself the space and grace to eat what feels good and don’t stress about it

-If a family member stresses you out, establish boundaries for yourself

Nutrition Root

-Fill up your plate high with nourishing and comforting dishes made by you and loved ones

-Realize that there actually are lots of colors on your plate (score), and eat without guilt or fear

-Eat a plate full of food mindfully, and enjoy the heck out of every last bite of your favorite dish that you eat once every 365 days and let yourself have that moment

Rooting for You

In recognizing that good health is so multifaceted, and that you can still be supporting your health when fostering connection, giving yourself time to relax and restore, engaging in any movement that feels restorative and energy-giving, then more of the focus can be on the ‘thanks’ and the ‘giving’ piece of Thanksgiving.

Rooting in the Present

Above all else, staying grounded in the present moment at any given time (without judgement) is going to beneficially blend into all health roots. I’ll be focusing my energy on this next week, and everything will unfold in the best way. I know the same can be true for you too.

Be Well,

Sara

P.S. Forget about starting anything new this holiday season. Be on the lookout for details about my 6-Week “Not Your Average Detox” group program which will start the first full week of January, as we lean into natural shifts of bringing new energy to the New Year.