Tips For Practicing Mindful Eating
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware or awake to our lives at this very moment. Practicing mindfulness makes us pay full attention to whatever we are doing at any point in time and it helps us to see the things that we do on a daily basis or the things that we do in a habitual manner in a new light. Some of the things that we do in a mindless and habitual manner are walking, jogging, talking, driving, cooking, and eating. When we do these things, our minds are divided and our thoughts wander somewhere else. This deprives us of the immense benefits of being in the present to fully enjoy whatever we are doing at any particular time.
Mindful eating is a great way to practice mindfulness and once one can eat mindfully, it will become quite easy to apply mindfulness to other activities. Mindfulness can help you enjoy a meal and the experience of eating. It can also help you improve your table manners or eating habits. Most importantly, practicing mindful eating may be the catalyst that will make you begin to appreciate the present as you look forward to the future.
Here are eight tips for practicing mindful eating:
1. Sit down
People eat on the go when they want to eat and do other things at the same time. This shifts their minds from their food to the things they want to do and to everything around them. You should make it a habit to sit down before you eat.
2. Give thanks
Before you start to eat, take a moment to thank everyone that contributed in one way or the other to produce the food in front of you.
3. Eat slowly
It is easier to be mindful of activity when you do it slowly than when you hurriedly do it. Eating slowly helps you to focus on the food and it helps you to think of nothing else but the food that you have in front of you.
4. Remove all distractions
It will be quite impossible for you to eat mindfully when you are distracted. Before you start eating your meal; switch off the TV, make sure no music is playing, put your phone(s) away, and stay away from your computer. Sit away from anything that could potentially distract you while eating.
5. Serve your food
If you live alone, you will see nothing wrong with eating straight from the box. However, this habit will make it easy for you to overeat and it will make it hard for you to appreciate your meal.
6. Chew 30 times
Chewing your food 30 times may sound far-fetched, but it is a very good way to promote Mindfulness. It also makes the work of your digestive system very easy.
7. Breathe
Stop eating from time to time and take a moment to become mindful of your breathing.
8. Engage your senses
While eating, take note of the smell, color, textures, and flavors of your food. Make sure you engage all your senses with every spoon and every bite that you take.