What's Your NNT?

My NNT.

Every weekend, I devote some time to preparing my fuel for the week ahead. I usually prepare two recipes. It takes me about an hour from beginning to end, taking my time and not rushing. 

I enjoy the process of making this delicious food just as much as I do eating it. It has come to be a ritual that I really look forward to. Sometimes, while I am cooking, I listen to music; sometimes to a podcast or a TED talk or a webinar. Sometimes I talk to Cody Oats (who gives me weird looks). Sometimes I just enjoy the quiet.

I read an article a couple of weeks ago about the importance of "NNT," or non-negotiable time. This is the time that we take (or should take) for ourselves each day, week, month, or year; to do the things that nourish us personally, replenish our energy, and keep us "fit" to perform in the rest of our busy lives. It is hard to be of service to others if we are strung out ourselves. 

When I read the article it made me think "hmmm. Do I have NNT?" I realized that in fact, I do. I just hadn't brought awareness to the fact that I do these things on a regular basis and acknowledged what they really do for me. Now that I have, I can use it as an anchor in my life no matter what else is going on. 

For me, my five NNT activities are: 

1) drinking a glass of water with chia seeds every morning, 
2) enjoying a quiet walk around the neighborhood with my dog every day (often at night- I love the blanket of the darkness, especially when it is snowing), 
3) a few minutes (10 ish) of meditation each morning before I get out of bed (this is the newest and hardest for me, I am not the best at it but I am trying), 
4) one yoga class per week, 
5) and this time I carve out once a week to prepare my training food for the following week. 

These five things have become sacred to me. No matter how crazy or stressful my week gets, if I make sure to honor this time, I feel like I am taking important steps in caring for my overall health and well-being. And really, it's not all that much time.

What's your NNT? I'd love to hear other ideas- I might even try some of them on, myself. :) 

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