Its important not to get carried away by the hustle and bustle of life, and to live in the moment by being mindful.
Mindfulness is the practice where we pay attention to the present moment, being aware of what we can see around us, what we can feel to the touch, the sounds we can hear, the smells we can sense and what our taste buds might be able to taste, embracing all our senses.
Mindfulness is also recognised to help us gain focus, manage our emotions supporting us to acknowledge rather than retaliate, guiding us to be calmer when making decisions or problem solving.
We can practice mindfulness as we go about our daily lives, by reminding ourselves to take notice of our thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around us, right down to noticing how the air/breeze moves past our bodies as we walk.
Mindfulness doesn't stop us stressing/worrying, but it will help us to put our stresses/worries into perspective.
Mindful eating is about being fully present with the food you are eating in the given moment creating an increased awareness of your thoughts, senses and feelings during and after you've eaten;-
Conscious choices of where we obtain our foods and how the food nourishes our bodies.
Being aware of what our physical hunger and satiety cues are personal to you.
Recognise the difference between true hunger and emotional hunger.
Engage the senses by observing colours, smells, sounds, textures and flavours.
Managing guilt and anxiety about food.
Eating to promote overall health and well-being.
Embrace the effects food has on our bodies and feelings.
Value the benefits of food.
Feel gratitude for the food you enjoy.
There are simple ways to practice mindful eating;-
Eating more slowly - not rushing your meals.
Chewing thoroughly.
Removing distractions; i.e. turning of the TV and putting down your phone.
Eating in silence.
Focusing on how the food makes you feel.
Stop eating when you are full.
Asking yourself why you're eating, whether you're truly hungry, and whether the food you chose is nutritious.
Mindful eating takes practice, but by eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, removing distraction, and stopping eating when you're full will support you to achieve Mindful eating.
I practice mindful eating and I start by planning nutritious meals, and create a shopping list, sourcing whole local foods where I can, promoting my health and well-being. I then cook the food as healthily as possible taking my time to create a delicious meal, embracing the smells, flavours and colours. When eating the food I fully immerse myself in the food I'm eating, taking time over each and every mouthful, noticing taste, smells, flavours, texture and colours.
I take small bites and chew them thoroughly taking my time, allowing my brain to catch up with my stomach, acknowledging my satiety.
I am always very grateful to be able to enjoy beautiful food, knowing I am fuelling my body nutritiously with local healthy whole products where I can.
Mindful eating is a way to enjoy what you are eating whilst being aware of our bodies and acknowledging our thoughts and feelings. It can help encourage positive eating behaviours and healthy eating choices as you choose foods that are nourishing as well as satisfying to your body.
Resources:
Book - The Mindful Kind - Rachael Kable
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