Food News Extra: Rest Is Productive Too

Thoughts on travel, after travel, productivity, and self-care

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photo credit: Mira Dessy

I’ve recently returned from HEALCon, the annual conference for the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. It’s a conference I enjoy attending each year. I have the opportunity to reconnect with friends and colleagues, meet new people, learn wonderful information, and enjoy truly nourishing food in the company of people who care deeply about health and wellbeing. I’ll be sharing some of what I learned in upcoming editions of the newsletter.

This year felt especially meaningful because a dear friend and colleague, MaryAnn Marks, received the H.E.A.L. Award, the Highest Exceptional Achievement or Lifetime Award.

photo credit: Jana Flashing

Some of you may remember that I was the recipient of this award last year; it felt incredibly special to be there to celebrate MaryAnn. I was absolutely delighted that she won and asked if I could be the one to present the award to her. Being able to stand there and honor someone I respect so much was one of the highlights of the entire conference.

Because the conference was in a different time zone, I spent six days slightly time shifted and then came home to a very full schedule waiting for me. I don’t regret my time away for even a moment, nor the energy expended while I was there. But returning home, I became deeply aware once again of the need for rest.

Not collapse-from-exhaustion rest. Not the kind of rest you “earn” only after pushing yourself beyond your limits.

Real rest.

The kind that allows your nervous system to soften again.

The kind that creates enough quiet for you to hear yourself think.

So lately I’ve been intentionally giving myself slower starts to the morning. Being deliberate about carrying my tea outside and sitting quietly listening to birdsong while reading a book instead of immediately reaching for productivity. Tiny pauses that don’t look particularly impressive from the outside, but which feel deeply restorative nonetheless.