The 4 vital connections
These essential connections must be firmly rooted within and around us to live the truest, highest expression of ourselves. If we understand these connections, we have more agency over ourselves, our bodies, and our health.
Connection #1
Self-care is the heart of healthcare
The foundation of our well-being begins by showing up and caring for ourselves
Self-care unites our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. When we care for ourselves, we’re
creating a solid foundation to uncover new sources of nourishment in all areas of our lives.
Body
Self-care involves short moments each day for you to reset yourself and your sense of peace.
Our bodies respond to the way we think, feel, and act. Nourishment doesn’t only come in the form of food. We’re also nourished through physical activity, as well as what we watch, listen to, and think about. Body awareness roots us in the present moment.
Mind
Our feelings, attitudes, and beliefs directly affect the way we do everything. They shape how we carry ourselves, move, breathe, and grow.
Just as we shape our bodies with physical activity, we also shape our minds with emotional conditioning. One powerful way to keep our heads “fit” is by cultivating awareness through Mindfulness.
Spirit
Humans are soulful creatures, and our spirits are what makes us capable of loving ourselves—and, therefore, loving others.
Nourishing our souls means loving ourselves unconditionally and wholeheartedly. Even when it isn’t always easy to give ourselves what we need, our soul needs to be fed, loved, and nurtured to feel vital and vibrant.
Connection #2
The gut-brain connection
The root of our health lies in our digestive tract
Trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi exist in our bodies. These microbes mostly live inside our large intestine, creating an ecosystem called the “gut microbiome.”
When it comes to self-nourishment, your gut microbiome is the ideal place to start.
Connected to nearly every system in the body—from your digestive system to the skin, heart, and nervous systems—your gut microbiome is unique to you and constantly changes over time.
What you do every day can alter the health of your microbiome. Stress, medicine, sleep, and exercise all play key roles in the bacteria and other microbes that reside there.
Over time, the microbiome can become imbalanced. Unhealthy microbes can sometimes take over and cause an array of health issues that affect your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing.
- 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut’s microbiome. It’s the root of our health and impacts our immunity, energy levels, and mental states.
- Our microbiome is a living, breathing organism. It acts much like a garden, which means we can cultivate it to thrive.
- Our gut is the most direct connection to the outside world. Food brings in pieces of nature, and nature makes itself at home within us.
Connection #3
Real Life Connections
We are hungry for real-life connections that matter
We are constantly in search of what feels real, especially as bigger chunks of our lives become more virtual.
Real, in-person connections are a basic human need we need in order to thrive. There is nothing more fundamental about the human experience than community, friendship, and a sense of belonging.
Connection #4
Get back to nature
Nature brings us back to our simplicity and roots us in the present
People have a primal need to connect with the natural world. Getting out in nature calms the body and soothes the mind in countless ways.
- By lowering stress, nature is a no-cost brain booster and a healing tonic for well-being
- Phytoncides released from trees decrease the production of stress hormones, positively affecting immune function
- Nature returns us to the simple things in life that bring us joy. Whether that’s planting seeds, sticking your hands in the mud, or squishing your toes in the grass, you’re reconnecting with nature. Let that wonderful sense of stability and nurturing wash over you!
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