Mindfulness
What is mindfulness and how can you become more mindful when eating?
Mindfulness simply means being aware, or present in the moment while acknowledging your surroundings as well as your inner feelings.
We live in a time when none of us has enough time to get everything done. As a result, we try to cut back on time we spend on eating by devouring our breakfast before rushing out the door or grabbing something quick to eat on your commute. This creates perfect conditions for improper eating habits which may contribute to imbalances in the body as well as to unhealthy eating patterns contributing to weight problems.
It is important to remember that we eat to nourish our bodies, mind, and spirit. Ask yourself these five questions the next time you eat:
What?
What you put in your body is crucial. It is a good idea to a healthy balanced diet which includes a variety of foods. It is also be beneficial to pay attention to foods that are in season to get the maximum nutritional benefits from them. Paying attention to how you feel when eating certain foods may help you understand foods that may be contributing to any discomfort after meals like gas or bloating.
When?
When you eat is very important, although subjective when it comes to the exact timings. What I mean is that you must learn to listen to your body’s hunger signals and eat when you’re hungry, not when you’re bored, upset or because it is the time to eat. It is also essential to understand your body cycles and be aware of how you feel when you eat foods at a specific time.
With Whom?
Who you eat with may also affect your digestion. Not them directly, but the energy they bring to the table during meal times. Sharing meals with the family has potentially a very calming effect on your digestive system. Having said that, if families or friends are overly sensitive and tend to argue at the table, it may be better for you to eat your food in peace and quiet by yourself.
Where?
We all know that eating in front of a TV contributes to poor eating habits from not paying enough attention to our food, but did we know that picking one indoor and one outdoor spot may help us control our snacking habits? Yes, the outdoors is known to have a calming effect which helps people relax and enjoy their food more contributing to satiety. Having one indoor eating spot, like the dining table, may also help reduce your chances of a “snaccident”.
How?
It is imperative to take your time to chew your food, as it is the first step to proper digestion. It also takes into consideration how the food is served. The appearance of any food can make or break its appeal. It is wise to present your food well to not only treat your eyes but also to activate your salivary glands and gastric juices even before you start eating.