Navigating Nourishment Podcast Nourish Coaches

Debbie and Wendy share their strategies for tackling clutter in a mindful and intentional way. Debbie emphasizes starting small, dedicating five minutes a day to organizing, and promising oneself a win. Wendy highlights the importance of having an accountability partner and taking small steps towards a goal. Both agreed that letting go of unnecessary items can lead to a more organized and peaceful living space, and that clutter can contribute to anxiety.
Transcript
Debbie  00:39

It is spring as of this recording.

 

Wendy  00:43

And we have lots of clients talking about cleaning up.

 

Debbie  00:48

Yeah, cleaning up clutter, getting rid of stuff.

 

Wendy  00:54

Too much stuff truly causes anxiety. There's a direct connection with piles of stuff. And it might be wonderful stuff. It might be valuable stuff. It might be wonderful memories.  But stuff accumulated in corners and drawers and in closets can cause anxiety, it can really stress us out. When we're stressed, our hormones get all wonky, our metabolism gets all wonky.

 

Debbie  01:31

Let me step back for a moment, because this is such a natural human trait to collect stuff.  I always go back to our roots back in the day, 100,000 years ago, when we didn't have a lot of stuff. And so we had the urge to collect things that we needed to live and survive. That is built into our DNA and we still haven't evolved out of that. And so we end up with too much stuff. It's just this human nature to do it. And before we know it, we look around and we're like, How did we get here?

 

Wendy  02:09

We have a couple of clients who have inherited stuff from grandparents, and then parents, and it's hard to go through someone else's stuff, let alone your own. So when we're in the sandwich generations, you know, maybe the kids haven't left yet, and their rooms are still full of all their stuff. Maybe we have boxes of kids memorabilia, their arts and crafts projects, or their report cards and that sort of thing. I know, my mom and dad are doing a lot of purging themselves. And I got a box full of that material. And I was going through it. It really held some fond memories. So I took a couple pictures. And then I got the shredder out and it felt really good.

 

Debbie  03:03

And it may not only be stuff that other people gave you, I'm looking at my home office right now. It does cause me anxiety, because it's cluttered with a whole bunch of stuff. There are some things that were handed down to me, but most of it is things that I've accumulated over the years. Our generation is between worlds in that we used to do all things on paper. And we've moved so much stuff online or on the computer or virtual stuff that I don't know why I'm still holding on to so much paper. But it's there, there's so many things that I just need to let go of. It's a powerful practice to let go. And I think it's something that is always a message in my mind - in so many different areas, not just about stuff, but letting go. And it always always, always feels good.

 

Wendy  04:02

It does feel good. And I want to go back to these piles because you and I are wired a little bit the same way. I think it's really important this conversation between paper and computer. And I'm not going to get rid of my cookbooks. Right? I might purge a couple a year, right? For cookbooks, there's so much value in holding the paper copy. And so I'm bringing that up because I'm looking around my office and I have to make some decisions. I've got these cutouts from newspapers and from magazines. I'm like, Oh, that would be a good blog post or that would be good for a podcast.

It's trying to discern what's valuable, what's not and what's practical, what's not. And there's a lot of decision making. You know, there could be some decision fatigue. Yeah, that's what feels overwhelming for me when I look at my office and all the accumulation of stuff.

It struck us as funny that day that one of our colleagues came in with an experience she had at a restaurant meal with friends recently. When she was talking about wellness with her friends and mentioning meditation practices, the woman declared that “meditation is dead,” meaning passe or not in style anymore. And though we laughed about the ridiculousness of it, it stuck with us. 
Meditation dead?
Is this how some people view meditation or any other nourishing wellness practice–as something that comes in as a trend and then goes away? Of course, there are trends that come and go, usually because they are of the ilk of quick fixes. Meditation, however, is here to stay. 

The practice of it is older than history itself. Research indicates that it has served as a spiritual endeavor for humans since the dawn of our existence. In 2007, psychologist Matt J. Rossano suggested that rituals and meditation practices around campfires between 200,000 and 150,000 years ago played a crucial role in the evolution of human working memory. He posited that the act of "fire-gazing" not only rewired our brains but also enabled the emergence of symbolism and language, fundamentally shaping our humanity.
So, in a way, meditation is in our DNA from ancestors past.
In our latest podcast, we talk about our own practices of meditation and how it doesn’t really need to look or be a particular way. It takes many forms and that’s what makes it completely doable for everyone. We also mention The Wellness Hub and their weekly Wednesday meditation group open to everyone at our space in Red Bank.

*Note: In the podcast Debbie makes an error in attributing a song lyric to Nirvana when it is the song "Machinehead" by Bush
Here’s the transcript:
 

Wendy  00:33

It's spring, and it's glorious out right now. And everything is popping. The flowers are just kind of making me high a little bit.

Debbie  00:40

Yeah, for sure. For spring does that it's so motivating. It's so, it's so cheerful, and it gets you wanting to do a whole bunch of stuff.

Wendy  00:50

Just the whole idea of renewal and birth is just really beautiful. If we pay attention, or it can feel like complete chaos.

Debbie  01:00

Yes, I mean, every transition of season feels a little chaotic. But I think that the spring one is especially chaotic, because I think we all feel like we need to be productive and get a bunch of things done.

Wendy  01:11

Oh my gosh, yeah. And in the winter, we're a little bit more quiet. And just the darkness leads to a little bit more quiet. But the lighter nights, it's really like I'm still supposed to be doing something, right. So true. It's harder to wind down when it's laid out.

Debbie  01:31

It is That's very true. And the thing about spring, too, is I think, including me, it's a time where you want to take on new things and take on new habits and say, Okay, this is a good time to start this.

Wendy  01:44

And it is it is.

Debbie  01:45

That's a great time to start. Yeah.

Wendy  01:48

And we have one number one thing we wanted to talk about today as a habit to start, right. And it stems from a conversation we recently had with someone who claimed that meditation is dead. It's so passe, it's gone. It's over the trend is a trend gone. The trend of meditation is gone. Yeah. And we disagree completely.

Debbie  02:12

Completely! It's funny, because, yeah, there are so many health trends; there's so many things that come, don't necessarily go, but they become popular for a little while. And then everybody tries it. And then it, you know, it doesn't get it, it kind of goes away from the scope of a lot of people. But there's a core of people that continue it. Yeah. And perhaps that's what's happened with meditation is that it got really popular again. And then that popularity is kind of, you know, it's not being marketed as much by the wellness people. The fix it people aren't really marketing it anymore.

In this week's episode, we embark on a journey of timeless wisdom with the incredible Patrick Edward Ryan, a nonagenarian whose dedication to health and fitness offers a breath of fresh air in an age-obsessed society. At 90, Patrick's gym routine is not just a hobby; it's a testament to the boundless potential of embracing a healthier lifestyle at any stage in life. His stories, spanning from the soccer fields of his military days to the group exercise classes he enjoys now, prove that age truly is just a number.

Patrick also emphasizes the importance of community and social connections, particularly evident in his involvement with the local YMCA. He works out maybe six days a week, where he’s almost always the only man and often the oldest man, and he forms a close-knit group known as the "spaghetti group."

Additionally, we reflect on our experiences with aging, retirement, and finding fulfillment. We also explore topics such as sleep patterns, relationships with technology, the value of kindness and forgiveness, and the power of sincere compliments.

Tune in to celebrate Patrick's resilience, vitality, and zest for life, offering valuable insights into aging gracefully and living a fulfilling, healthy life.

 

Watch the YouTube here.

 

In this episode of "Navigating Nourishment," the hosts and guest Stephanie Bricken discuss her journey in creating a unique beverage called Seraphim. Stephanie shares her inspiration to create this non-alcoholic wellness tonic after experiencing negative effects from drinking wine. With a background in holistic health and a passion for creativity, she set out to develop a drink that would offer the same relaxing experience as wine without adverse effects.

Seraphim is made from organic sour cherries, wild blueberries, and other botanicals like Rishi Mushroom, cinnamon, hibiscus, and cacao. These ingredients provide various health benefits, such as promoting sleep, boosting immunity, and improving gut health. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of using natural, organic ingredients and preserving the drink without any added sugars or preservatives. Stephanie's vision for Seraphim goes beyond just a drink – she aims to provide consumers with a holistic, mind-body-spirit experience that promotes overall well-being. With its unique blend of flavors and health benefits, Seraphim offers a refreshing alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages and sugary sodas, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a healthier lifestyle.

Stephanie Bricken is the Founder of Seraphim Social Beverage, a woman-owned and certified member of the WBENC (Women’s Business Enterprise Council).

Reach out to Stephanie
www.seraphimsocialbev.com
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In this episode, we dive into the all-too-common tale of the dieting carousel, where quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions dominate the weight loss narrative. This is where our expertise as nationally board-certified health and wellness coaches comes into play. We're not just about shedding pounds; we're about fostering a deep, personal transformation that honors the unique needs of each individual, helping them move towards genuine, long-lasting wellness and self-acceptance.

 
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Embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting realm of storytelling with Jennifer Chauhan of Project Write Now. In this episode, we dive into the world of writing and its transformative impact on personal growth and self-discovery. We went into the discussion on how yoga and writing intertwine to guide individuals through the labyrinth of emotions. We also celebrated the growth of Project Write Now as a sanctuary that reaches beyond writing, fostering a supportive community. PWN has continued to thrive even amid a pandemic, touching lives and weaving stories together. Join us in this ode to the written word's ability to mature and surprise us, mirroring the seasons of life.

Jennifer Chauhan is a writer, educator, and co-founder/executive director of Project Write Now, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming individuals, organizations, and communities through writing. For more than 30 years, she has worked as a professional writer and educator—as an educational journalist, as a writing instructor for foster youth in New York City, and as a public high school English/Creative Writing teacher. Her passion is giving people of all ages and backgrounds supportive spaces to explore their authentic selves through writing and sharing their stories. Jennifer also has a 200-hour trauma-informed, inclusive mindfulness, social emotional learning, and yoga teacher certification. She has an M.A. in English Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a B.A. in English and French from Villanova University. She lives in River Vale, New Jersey, with her family.

Learn more about Projet Write Now: https://projectwritenow.org/

 
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