Hoping the Holiday season was a joyful and happy time for all! I love this time of year but let’s be honest it is pretty stressful. Anyone else let themselves enjoy the food and drinks of the season? It is hard not to! I have been eating clean for a few months but I did go off my eating plan to enjoy some treats. There’s nothing wrong with letting yourself enjoy the occasional treat but this time of year people tend to get out of control. The average person gains between 5 and 10 pounds during the holiday season. Hey – I am over here just hoping I didn’t gain since it is incredibly hard for me to lose weight.
My saving grace just might be that I did stick to my regular workout schedule. I know that it is difficult to get back to normal eating after the holidays but this is crucial so you don’t get stuck in that bad eating pattern. Take it slowly and start to give sugar, gluten, and alcohol a break so your body can recover. Although having treats now and then is not too harmful, continuing a diet filled with this stuff is detrimental to your health and will catch up with you sooner or later.
How to Practice Mindful Eating
Thought it was a good time to talk about mindful eating. Creating your eating ritual to be one of mindfulness and honor is the key to a healthy relationship with food. Practicing mindful eating not only transforms your health but your relationship with the foods you ingest, as well. Honestly, I continue to struggle with my eating patterns so I know how difficult this can be. Here are some of my favorite tips I have learned over the years that I found to work for me.
Listen to Your Body While Eating
When you feel hunger approaching, stop, and ask yourself what your body is asking for. What does it need for nourishment? Ask what would give you energy; what would sustain you, what would make you feel satisfied, and well-nourished. When you get this tip under wraps, your eating experience will change tremendously. Your body knows what it needs deep within its core so listen to it.
Slow Down
In our busy lives, we sometimes forget to slow down and enjoy our meals. Slowing down helps you to become more aware of your experience, increasing the mindfulness of your task. Pay attention to your breathing throughout your meals. Deep breathing helps with combating stress, which is a crucial component of your overall health. Ingesting your food with mindfulness will aid in healthy digestion, which will in turn increase your eating experience. Be intentional about your presence. Place your fork down between bites and take your time.
Adjust Your Mindset
The state of your mindset while eating holds as much importance as the quality of food you put into your body. Eating with sadness and anxiety will have a different impact on your digestion and nourishment than eating the same meal with gratitude and love. Focus on the state of your mind each time you eat. Eat with love, gratitude, and excitement that you are nourishing your body.
Chew Your Food
A great way to cut down on digestive issues such as bloating & constipation is to chew your food thoroughly. This practice also aids in mindful eating and assists in appreciating every bite to the fullest extent. Chew each bite until it is completely broken down, allowing your digestive tract to not have to tackle the job. Focus on each flavor, texture, and color. Enjoy every bite as long as you can!
Forgive Yourself
At times, we all make choices with our meals that we may not be proud of. It is crucial for you to forgive yourself, and move on. It is time to ditch the mindset that is not serving you! Forgive yourself. Always. Ask yourself before every meal — will this serve my goal of optimal health?
“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention to. This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.” ― JON KABAT-ZINN
xoxo
Jill DeMasi is a Lifestyle Blogger, Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Certified Wellness Coach with a passion for helping others manage Stress, Chronic Pain, and Anxiety. Learn more about her journey and wellness practice that offers natural solutions to stress at www.AtTheHeartofWellness.com.
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