When you hear the word “nourishment,” you probably think of a plate overflowing with colorful vegetables, ancient grains, and grilled chicken or tofu. And you’d be right—that definitely falls under the category of physical nourishment. But what if I told you your mind, heart, and soul also need to be nourished? When was the last time you felt deeply nourished—not just full, but whole?

Physical fuel and whole-self nourishment, while intertwined, are two different things. Food and fluids are fuel for our bodies. Some foods fuel us better than others, but food itself isn’t good or bad—it just is. And because we aren’t only physical beings, we need more than physical nourishment.

Whole-self nourishment also comes from what we consume in other ways: books, television, social media, the company we keep, even the ideas we engage with. The way we move our bodies and how much rest we allow ourselves both play a role too.

In my Energize Your Life™ program, I teach clients through the Golden Flow Framework™—Nourish, Move, Rest, Repeat—how to fuel themselves in ways that go beyond food. We are all unique, with passions and interests that make us who we are. Doesn’t it make sense that our nourishment should be unique too?

Looking beyond food to nourish yourself can lead to a more fulfilling life of joy and sustainable energy. Nourishment includes activities that fuel creativity, connection, and resilience: laughter and meaningful conversation (emotional nourishment), learning, journaling, or quiet reflection (mental nourishment), time in nature, prayer, or acts of service (spiritual nourishment), and movement or restorative rest (physical-but-not-food nourishment).

Why does this matter? Because relying only on caffeine, sugar, or sheer willpower to push through fatigue creates energy leaks. Whole-self nourishment, on the other hand, restores resilience, boosts self-motivation, and supports long-term well-being. 

Picture this: It’s 2:30pm and your eyelids are drooping. Do you grab a sugary coffee that puts you on the blood sugar roller coaster? Or could you try a different plan—stretching, taking a short walk, or changing your environment? Those choices create clarity and energy without the crash.

So how do you know what nourishes you best? The first step is noticing. We often live on autopilot and miss the connections between what we’re consuming—whether food, content, or conversation—and how it makes us feel. Start checking in with yourself a few times a day. Is there a link between what you ate, read, or experienced and your mood or energy?

If you want to take it further, pull out your journal and write about which foods, activities, or people leave you feeling lighter and more alive. Create a Joy or Nourishment Menu and post it somewhere visible. Choose one nourishing activity to weave into your daily or weekly routine.