EAT SLOWLY
Food is the stuff that nourishes as, fuels us, makes up every cell in our body. It tastes good, smells good, looks good and feels good.
And yet we often eat in such a rush that we barely notice what's on our plate.
Eating in a rush gives your body the signal that you're in danger; such grave danger that you can't even stop to enjoy your meal. So, your body produces hormones related to the "fight and flight" response, such as cortisol and adrenaline; more commonly known as 'stress hormones'. Ironically, these hormones impair digestion (because who needs to digest food when, perhaps, you ARE the food!) Today, I challenge you to, for just one meal, eat SLOWLY. Explore your food. Really look at it, touch it, smell it. And when you're chewing, close your eyes, enjoy the taste and chew, chee, chew until the food is almost liquid.
If changing your habit for one meal is too much, try it for one bite. .
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Common questions/comments:
1. But I've got too much to do for all of that nonsense.
All the more reason to slow down for a minute 😀.
If you're that stressed, chances are you won't digest food as well as your full potential anyway.
Take 6 deep breaths before you begin your meal to give your body the signal that there is nothing wrong, and deliberately slow down your eating. You'll digest the food better, taking in more nutrients so you have more energy to do all the things you need to do, and during that time you'll be able to clear your head, so that your concentration will improve when you get back to work.
2. I work 12 hour shifts and just have to grab bites as quickly as I can between work.
First of all, this is illigal. Everyone is entitled to a break.
Second of all, I'd say that eating one bite slowly will be far better for your body than gobbling a whole meal down as quickly as possible.
3. I'm so hungry by the time I eat that I can't help but gobble it down.
Are you sure it's hunger and not stress? If you're sure - can you snack more often? Also, it might take more mental effort to slow down if you're that hungry, but (presumably) the food is not going anywhere.
