Body Talk

ZZzzzzz

How many times have you zoned out in front of the television, only to discover an empty bag/bottle/carton of _______ (substitute your current no-no food) sitting in front of you and you have NO MEMORY of having consumed it, let alone enjoying it?

Come on, we've all done it.

It's OK ? well, actually, it's not OK, but we'll talk about that in a minute.

Mindless eating is a favorite recreational past time. It fills time and space and those emotional holes that sometimes cry out for attention.

Mindlessness is a mindset that's narrow, inflexible, repetitive and automatic. It blocks development.

But there's an antidote to all this ? it's called "Mindfulness."

What's "Mindfulness"?

"Mindfulness," is a Buddhist term meaning being conscious and aware of everything we think and do ~ from the food we consume to the people we associate with. It is a simple yet profound approach to relating to your food and life and aging.

What are the benefits of Mindful eating?

1. No more Cheetos bags stuffed into the couch
2. Less anxiety around food
3. Reduced amount of overeating
4. Smaller food bills
5. Increased sense of calm
6. A break from negative people and situations
7. Thinking creatively about everyday life

Here are Ten Easy Steps to Mindful Eating:

STEP 1: Make a conscious choice to eat. Eat only when you're hungry. Sometimes fatigue or dehydration can be mistaken for hunger. Eat to fill your stomach, not an emotional hole. If you're lonely, call a friend, or put on an old movie and have a good cry or laugh.

STEP 2: Ask your body what it's hungry for. Be willing to experiment: eat what your body tells you it wants to eat and do it wholeheartedly.

STEP 3: Express gratitude before eating. This can be in whatever form feels most comfortable to you. For some it would be saying grace, for others a brief meditation. Breathing and relaxing the body will allow the food to enter you in a more loving way.

STEP 4: Eat with awareness. Be conscious when you eat and pay attention to all your senses. Chew food completely before swallowing. Pause before taking the next bite.

STEP 5: Listen for feedback. See how what you ate and how much you ate makes your body feel and make note of it. Remember, it takes 20 minutes before your stomach registers fullness.

STEP 6: Stop when you're satisfied ~ not full, but satisfied. Try to learn the difference.

STEP 7: Release the meal. After the meal, forget about food or anything that has to do with eating for awhile and move on to the next activity. Avoid labeling food as "good" or "bad" depending on your weight or food choices on any given day. By letting go of such judgments, you de-escalate the importance of any one food experience.

STEP 8: Breathe. Be aware of your breath throughout your meal. Take deep breaths, filling your lungs all the way down to your abdomen. Let oxygen nourish you as well as the food.

STEP 9: Drink water. Water is the universal symbol of spirit. Let it flow through you and cleanse your body of toxins by aiding digestion. Some say that it's better to drink before and after, but not during the meal. See what feels best to you.

STEP 10: Expand your mindfulness by practicing kindness and generosity to others and yourself. Practice mindful consumption by being aware of what magazines, books, plays, TV, and movies you consume, as well as the people you choose to have around you.

Our bodies have an intelligence that's far superior to our brains. Sometimes the best thing to do is to stop thinking and just listen to our bodies.

Have a happy, healthy and very mindful day!!

Carol Moss, LCSW, Life Coach http://www.CarolMoss.com Sign up now for FREE e-course: "21 Days to Re-Ignite Your Inner Sparkle."

---

What Does Meditation Music Do To You?

Personally I belief that it is possible for anyone to... Read More

Parapsychology: Harnessing Your Etheric Energy

It is an unfortunate reality that society has inadvertently categorized... Read More

How to Use White Noise

White noise is: A sound containing a blend of all... Read More

Why Should You Meditate?

Everyone's mind needs a little downtime. We all need time... Read More

A One Minute Meditation

Maybe learning to meditate intimidates you, and in any case... Read More

Meditation and the Monkey Mind?

Some find the term, "monkey mind", upsetting, derogatory, and insulting.... Read More

Tips for Better Meditation

Meditation students often come to me and ask what they... Read More

Relax Into Health

I'd like to share a little secret about relaxation techniques... Read More

What Would Plato Think of Prozac?

Each person is unique and it is that individuality that... Read More

Meditation: How to Enter a Deep State of Relaxation

There are many methods of meditation that can lead to... Read More

Understanding Meditation

It is impossible to overstate the importance of daily meditation.... Read More

Secrets of Meditation For Better Health

Meditation can improve your health, increase energy levels and maximize... Read More

How To Meditate Without Even Trying

I remember when I started trying to meditate. I would... Read More

Basic Meditation Exercises

(Authors Note: Before reading this you should see my other... Read More

Enlightenment through Meditation

Helping the broadest range of people attain enlightenment through meditation... Read More

A Look at Meditation

I've counseled many people from every background and led workshops... Read More

Muraqaba- The Sufi Meditation By Sufi-Master Khwaja Shamsuddin Azeemi

When we try to learn a new skill or try... Read More

The Benefits of Meditation: Tips and Techniques

Meditation is healthy, safe and affordable. In fact it's free.... Read More

Establishing A Daily Meditation Practice

It's important to establish a daily practice and then stick... Read More

Quieting the Mind Opening the Heart

To put it simply, the act of meditation involves quieting... Read More

Stevia 100% Natural Herbal Sweetener

Artificial sweeteners are developed in organic chemistry labs. Stevia grows... Read More

A Forty-Five-Second Meditation

Is Meditation Too Much Time And Trouble?If you haven't meditated... Read More

Holosync Meditation - Does It Really Work?

Chances are, if you are on a quest for self-improvement,... Read More

How to Train Your Brain to Keep You Healthy and Happy

When you are unhappy what do you do? Do you... Read More

Relaxation Magic - Hypnosis, Meditation, Visualization

Hypnosis, meditation and visualization are three similar processes for accessing... Read More

Meditate with Mindful Breathing

Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.... Read More

Herbal Teas

If you want to get hold of a particular tea... Read More

Mindfulness and Eating: Divine Desk Dining

Are you stuck eating lunch at your desk again?Lucky you.You... Read More

Meditation also Gave Me Something else

Some of the greatest benefits for me have been my... Read More

Yoga Meditation For Pain Relief

The purpose of this article is to provide information on... Read More

Can Cognitive Fitness Be a Workout for Your Brain?

There is growing interest to exercise your brain using something... Read More

How to Record Meditation Scripts to Audio Equipment

If you're someone who loves to meditate (or wants to... Read More

The Mind is Like a Frisky Monkey

People are often so discouraged about the results of their... Read More