How Do You Define Health and Nutrition?

Now, you may not have asked—but I feel called to share my answer to this very important question.

To me, health equates to homeostasis—our innate ability to maintain balance across all dimensions of life. Not perfection, but presence.

Not rigid control, but rhythmic awareness—an ongoing dance of noticing when something feels off and gently guiding ourselves back into harmony before the scales tip too far.

• On the mental level, it may be learning to check-in on our mindset. Is our self-talk positive? Are we taking social media breaks? Are we journaling our thoughts?

  
  

• On the physical level, it may be asking ourselves “where is my energy level at?” “Am I feeling energetic or lethargic?” “Did I drink enough purified water?” “Did I feed my mitochondria with organic, nutrient-dense foods?” “Did I move and stretch my body?” “Did I allow for breaks and get enough rest?” "Did I step outside and receive sunlight to recharge my body and reset my natural rhythms?"

  
  

• On the emotional level, it is understanding how our thoughts and emotions may be affecting our energy level and motivation, and learning how to acknowledge and embrace our emotions and when to ask for help.

  
  

• On the spiritual level, it may be making sure to spend time in nature, getting grounded, and connecting to Source and/or spending time self-reflecting and asking ourselves “am I living by my core values or am I compromising them?” “Have I allowed the sun to touch my skin and awaken my connection to the greater life force that sustains all things?”

  
  

• Lastly (and for the sake of keeping this brief), on the social level, are we surrounding ourselves with supportive and positive people in which we feel accepted, respected, and safe?

I see nutrition as the foundation of ALL life.

Why?

Because ALL life processes require energy to sustain—and energy is nutrition.

In most scientific literature, macronutrients are defined as carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. But I believe this framework is incomplete.

To truly understand nourishment, we must go beyond food.

I consider oxygen and water to be macronutrients as well—because they are required in large amounts and play critical roles in cellular metabolism, detoxification, and overall vitality.

But there's another essential, often-overlooked nutrient that fuels and heals us:

The Sun.

The sun is not just a source of light—it's a source of life. It catalyzes the production of vitamin D, supports hormonal rhythms, enhances mitochondrial function, and regulates our circadian biology. It informs the growth of our food, energizes our bodies through infrared and UV light, and awakens our spirit through connection with nature and Source.

Sunlight nourishes us—physically, emotionally, and energetically. It is a form of cosmic nutrition that transcends the plate.

So when I speak of nutrition, I’m not just talking about what we eat. I'm talking about what feeds life itself: breath, water, sunlight, real food, and the subtle energies that sustain our being.

True nourishment is elemental. It’s energetic. It’s spiritual. And the sun is one of our most powerful and healing sources of that nourishment.

During my time of study, at the Energetic Health Institute, I learned how to use, what is called, The Cycle of Influencing Energy. A simple, yet, sophisticated concept, designed by Dr. Helene Ealy, to assist us in the understanding of how our bodies speak to us.

It explains how everything about us is interconnected and how all aspects of ourselves are continuously influencing one another. Hence, the term holistic. The cycle begins with our emotions (how we feel) which influences our anatomy (our bodily structure), which then acts on our physiology (how our bodily structures function) which then influences our biochemistry (our cellular energy production), which then affects our energetics (energy flow through our body), and then loops back and works on our emotions, once again.

The beauty of The Cycle of Influencing Energy is that it offers five points of entry for us to start shifting from an energy draining situation to an energy generating situation. Therefore, no matter at what point we enter in upon, the opening of energetic pathways and centers begins with our awareness of the situation and our commitment to action(s) necessary to change the situation. Energy can now be regained . . . start to flow freely. . . and the process of whole person healing is underway.

I view The Cycle of Influencing Energy as a thoughtful approach to learning the art of self-care, self-compassion, and love of self.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and reflect with me. 🌞

I’d love to hear your thoughts and what resonated with you?

With warmth and light,

Karen