You’ve probably heard the expressions, “you are what you eat” or “eat your greens.” Yes, vibrant kale, antioxidant-rich rich berries, and other vitamin packed foods give us a much needed boost of energy and power, but it’s also important to find nourishment in other forms.

I affectionately refer to this non-food nourishment as Soul Greens.

Soul Greens are things you can’t necessarily see, but still make you feel as vital as your beloved fruits and vegetables.

Soul Greens might bring you peace. They might bring you pleasure. Or inspire curiosity. One thing’s for sure: they are essential to maintain a healthy, mighty, balanced, and whole life.

My example of Soul Greens?

I recently returned from spending quality time with my family deep in the wildly rural mountains of Montana. For seven days, life’s hectic pace and usual distractions were replaced with fresh air, breathtaking scenery, and outdoor adventure. In fact, by the time we left, I felt as calm and expansive as the vast land itself... and that’s how I knew my soul had been nourished.

This is also why I believe that we become not only what we eat, but also what we take in through each of our senses -as well as everything we consistently surround ourselves with.

Ready to nourish your own soul?

Here are some simple yet surefire ways to eat your Soul Greens:

Connection: We are social creatures, and therefore need to connect with others in order to thrive. Carve out some quality time with people that uplift, positively influence, and inspire you, every single day.

Creation: Self-expression is essential to soul nourishment. Cooking, gardening, writing, painting, dancing, or even picking up a musical instrument are all ways in which you can feel nourished by creating and expressing yourself.

Mindfulness: Mindfulness means to focus your attention fully on what you’re doing in the present moment. This kind of deep attentiveness and engagement will both relax and invigorate you as you fully experience the true essence of your environment... without distraction. Mindfulness doesn’t have to happen on a meditation pillow. You can practice mindfulness by soaking in the sunlight on a calm afternoon stroll, savoring the sea salt dust on a delicious piece of dark chocolate, or drawing in a deep, cleansing breath—right now.

Movement: It’s been proven time and time again that movement is good for our bodies and makes us happier. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be energized while having their anxiety eased and serotonin increased all at once? Move your body often, not just for the sake of “working out” or “exercise”. Tango through your kitchen, play frisbee at the beach, or skip through your yard, five-year-old style.

Think about getting your Soul Greens the same way you think about food and nutrition: you won’t find the answers in a book written by someone else. It really comes down to figuring out what makes YOU feel more alive and energetic (and noticing what doesn’t).

Let’s energize & inspire one another! Share one Soul Green you plan to get today in the comments below. For me? I’ll be taking a few extra moments to roll around in the grass with these guys.