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FUN: Finding Ultimate Nourishment

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June 23, 2010
	Phyllis McCarthy : Head Mommy Ego

Remember when you were a child and you got so wrapped up in playing, imagining or creating that you didn’t want to stop when it was time to eat? My kids are notorious for this. Do you remember leaving your meal half-finished to run off and continue playing? Mine do this too.  Children innately understand that food is secondary to what is most nutritious and primary in life: fun and play.

As adults we sometimes lose our instinct to make play a priority. In our busy world, with its emphasis on work and responsibility, to be healthy and balanced we must work on more than just our bodies; we must feed our mind, heart and spirit. In short, many of us, me included, need to find more fun. 

Have you ever noticed that when your body, mind and spirit are engaged in a creative project, a new career opportunity or happy relationship, your reliance on food seems to decrease?

Likewise, when you are unsatisfied with your relationships, your job or other areas of your life, you may depend on food to cheer, soothe or numb you.

When your life is out of balance, no amount of food can feed you where you truly need nourishment. The food that we eat is very important for health and balance, but what really feeds us—a fun and fulfilling life—doesn’t come on a plate.

What is fun for you? What makes you excited to get up in the morning? What is it that you used to love to do?  How can you make that happen again; and if you don’t have much time for fun, try approaching a “serious” activity with an attitude of play. This can greatly reduce stress and anxiety and bring more pleasure to your day.

Take your focus off food, try adding more fun into your life and watch the magic unfold.

I’m getting out of the kitchen and focusing on FUN for our family this summer.

We’ve already been camping; my oldest joined the swim team and now miraculously she can get ready from bed to pool in less than ten minutes. During the school year, it took ten minutes just to talk her into getting dressed and usually she wanted to eat first; somehow breakfast isn’t quite as important when it’s the pool competing for her attention. 

Last Friday, I needed a boost so I checked out Family Friendly Cincinnati to see what was going on around this area and found out that Newport on the Levee now has a flying trapeze, so I called a friend (everything is more fun with friends) and we took our brave little girls over to take a swing. They are still talking about it.

What are you going to do to have more fun this year? 

For me, I returned to snow-skiing past winter and we are getting family season passes for next ski season. I might also go horseback riding this summer –loved that as a kid. I’m going to NYC this weekend which is always fun and then to see my family next weekend for the holiday. 

I’m taking this fun thing seriously!