Diana Fletcher

Comfort Food & Things That Soothe

Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by Diana in Coaching, Health, Life Choices

I hope to help you reduce your stress and inspire you to choose healthier lives.
For all of you in other places that have not gotten the snow and the cold, we have set snow records in Pennsylvania.
My attitude? If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
I guess I mean the snowflakes. I have been out there playing, sledding and shoveling…Also driving and…well, it’s a lot.
After a day out in the snow, shoveling, playing…. you truly need comfort. It’s that time of year. We want comfort!

I know some of my personal clients have been feeling a little frustrated with the weather and such. Even those of you who haven’t experienced snow and cold may be getting a few winter blahs–I am here to help with some strategies…
So read on, and hang in there–Spring is coming!

“When you wake up in the morning, Pooh,” said Piglet at last, “what’s the first thing you say to yourself?”
“What’s for breakfast?” said Pooh.
“What do you say, Piglet?”
“I say, I wonder what’s going to happen exciting today?” said Piglet.
Pooh nodded thoughtfully.
“It’s the same thing,” he said.
--A.A. Milne

If there is one thing Pooh knew about, it was comfort. And his idea about breakfast is a good one. Starting out the day with some good, healthy food in you and taking the time to enjoy it, is a wonderful, comforting thing to do for yourself.
If you are not hungry first thing in the morning, plan ahead to take a break after you have been up a couple of hours. Meet a friend for breakfast, or take oatmeal or yogurt and fruit to work with you, and take a breakfast break. Make sure to have some protein in the morning, and a big glass of water. The protein will keep you going longer and the break will help you get your day started in an organized way. Comforting.

Here are other soothing, comforting, and healthy things you can do for yourself:

* Baroque music boosts moods, according to the March issue of Body + Soul magazine. Composers would include Bach, Vivaldi, Scarlatti and Handel. Take a break from your regular music and background noise and try this for a change.
* And speaking of change, another mood booster is to seek novelty. How about some new foods? Take a look in the produce section of your grocery store and try one new thing this week. You may find something exciting.Explore a different area in the library or bookstore. Try some different movies.
* Laugh. A lot.
* In Yoga, “back bends are believed to stimulate your adrenal glands, revving you up,” says Sara Ivanhoe, Health magazine’s yoga columnist. Whether or not you include back bends in your day, take 5-10 minutes every morning to stretch and get in touch with your body. You ask your body to do a lot. Keeping yourself stretched out is a way of saying thank you.
* Make a gratitude list. It is easy to think about what is not going right, but a definite mood booster is to think about all the things that ARE working in your life. Take a few minutes to write these things down, and be grateful. Keep your list with you and try to read it throughout the day.
* Breathe. Before you walk out the door in the morning, before you walk into work, before you make phone calls, three deep breaths. Aaaahhhh….comfort.
* The urge for comfort foods is very real, and you can let yourself indulge if you keep an eye on portion size. Go ahead and have that mac and cheese, but make sure you notice what is truly one portion. Warm up some soup, or better yet, slow down and make some of your own. (Yes, you can take the time. Trust me!) Eat slowly and mindfully, putting down your fork or spoon between bites. Truly savor your food, whatever you choose to eat.
* Dark chocolate is an energy booster. The flavonoids in chocolate that laboratory studies demonstrate to have powerful antioxidants are called flavanols and procyanidins. These two compounds come from the flavonoid “family” that includes resveratrol, found in grape juice, and EGCG, found in green tea. When people consume these substances in chocolate and cocoa, the antioxidant status of their blood increases. A few other foods that have flavanols are red wine, broccoli, blueberries and onions.
* There are many hot chocolates available. If you are watching the calories, there are some low calorie versions out there for you, too. Now that’s a winter comfort!
* Walk. I know it may be cold but this can boost your energy and mood. Even if you feel tired when you start out, it will give you energy in the long run.
* Turn off the television. I know you can find something else to do. Get your brain thinking in a different direction. A positive, healthy direction.

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