MINDFUL EATING
In terms of our eating habits: If we have been exposing our bodies to processed foods and high sugar, giving up will have the same effects as giving up an addictive drug. However, beyond the physiological aspect of changing eating habits, there are other factors that will contribute to our failure or our success.
When it comes to eating mindfully we also need to be aware of focusing in that moment on what we are consuming and noticing how it makes us feel. This allows ourselves to enjoy the food and our lives. This means thinking about the connection between our feelings and our eating habits - Am I hungry? Am I sad? Am I stressed?
At CCW we use the BASICS approach to mindful eating:
Breathe and belly check - take a moment to have a quick body scan, how are you feeling?
Asses your food
Slow down- more you stress harder it is to digest
Investigate your hunger throughout your meal
Chew your food
Savour your food - enjoy every moment!
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Recognise how the habit is serving us.
For example, if you are stressed from work and need alcohol to relax, then the alcohol is a stress relief. There is no need for alcohol as such; stress relief can be achieved by exercise, meditation or a massage.
Ask why you need to give it up? It needs to be something that is important to you, such as your children, so they can have a healthy parent around for a long time. It can be your partner, so you can connect on a deeper level, or anything else that is of significance to you. Setting an intention to your mindful eating practice will provide more opportunity for success.
Find your ‘Why?’
Be aware of how the habit is detrimental to your wellbeing. Being aware of the damage that it inflicts on your body on a daily basis may warrant you to rethink the habit.
If it helps to keep a journal to track your eating and drinking habits then that's a great way to monitor your progress and perhaps notice any connections between when and why you consume what you do.
Food can be a really enjoyable and at times sociable experience. Mindful eating can help you to distinguish between emotional and physical hunger so you can relax and appreciate mealtimes knowing you are taking good care of your body.
TOP TIP: If we are trying to be mindful while eating it can help to take the time where possible to sit down and just focus on the food with no distractions such as tv or phones. This can help us to notice our feelings of hunger or fullness better and help us to avoid over eating.
