6 Life Lessons You Learn From Studying Nutrition
When you decide to study nutrition, it is typically because you want to learn more about healthy eating, and how to nourish the body. That’s logical! But when you actually begin your studies, you realise something else is happening. You gain the utmost respect and appreciation for what your body is capable of, and what it does on a daily basis to keep you alive.
You then discover that it’s not just food you’re learning about, but the importance of sharing your knowledge with others, the importance of helping others lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. You become an advocate for nature and a cheerleader for others who need your help. You realise that you’re called to a higher purpose – the purpose of serving others. And the feeling you get when you finally begin doing that, is utterly priceless.
Here are 6 life lessons that we learnt when we studied nutrition:
1. One Of The Greatest Joys In Life Is To See Others Thrive
You will never regret helping another person. Whether that is nutrition-related, health-related, or simply assisting someone in need. Your body releases feel-good chemicals that elicit what is known as the ‘helper’s high’. When you help someone on their health and wellness journey, you see a transformation happen. One that relied on your care, your knowledge and your understanding.
When you receive that feedback from your clients or customers, that helper’s high and sense of pride is second to none, plus study’s show it could even help you live a longer, healthier life!
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another” – Charles Dickens.
2. One Of Our Highest Purposes Is To Serve Others
When you think about what gives you the most happiness in life. The true happiness that engulfs your whole body when you feel it, and when you reminisce about it. It’s not the clothes, the car, the material items. It’s the happiness you get when you see your loved ones, when you have belly laughs with your friends, when you helped someone, when you volunteered your time, and when you made a positive difference in someone’s life.
Whether that is making someone a nice dinner, being there for them when they’re down, or guiding them with your expertise to help change their life. Happiness comes from serving others, and it’s one of our highest purposes in life.
“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” – Dalai Lama
3. There Is Always Something To Learn
When we first studied nutrition, we thought we would end up with a really good understanding of what to eat, what the body does, and how to help everyone improve their diet and lifestyle. Whilst we certainly developed a greater awareness and improved knowledge of all things to do with nutrition, there are still so many things we continue to learn along our journey! Nutrition is such a personal thing, and a constantly evolving area of research, that 9 years on we are still seeing different things work for different people, and are constantly being amazing by the new findings on nutrition and health.
Life in general continues to teach us new things each and every day, especially now our little boy, Hugo is in our lives! What we choose to do with this information, though, is what defines who we are, and the world around us.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela
4. You Need To Nurture Yourself Before You Can Nurture Others
There’s a reason why the airplane hostess’ want you to put on your oxygen mask before helping others with theirs. Offering support and assistance to others is a beautiful thing to do, but you need to be in a place where you are able to help others first. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself struggling to cope, and your enthusiasm waning, as you watch others thrive, and your own wellbeing decline.
Putting your own health and wellbeing first should never be seen as a selfish act. In fact, it should be the opposite! When you’re healthy, and looking after your mind, body and soul with daily practices that keep you well and happy, then you’ll be in an amazing place to help others do the same.
“I choose to nourish myself on all levels” – Hungry For Change Film
5. The Power Of Nature Is Magnificent
When given the right nourishment, the body has an incredible ability to heal itself. But at the foundation of health, is nature. Natural, organic, nutrient-rich produce that floods our body with vitamins and minerals. Greenery, fresh air, sunshine, and water are also a huge part of this! Nature makes us feel energized and alive, and has the power to refresh our mind, body and soul. Nature can even reduce our risk of depression and anxiety!
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright
6. Health Is The Real Wealth
More often than not, when asked what people want in life, it’s to be happy and have lots of money. Yet when you have a baby, all anyone is hoping for, is for them to be healthy and happy. At what point does this switch over in our society? Where money takes a higher priority over our health?
When you study nutrition and learn about the power of your body and nature, you realise that health truly is the real wealth in life. When you take care of yourself, life becomes so much more enjoyable, and you really can have everything your heart desires.