Raihan takes us through the positive journey known as mindful eating, which can help improve our mental and physical health.
Mindfulness is a human ability that allows individuals to regulate their attention to maintain focus towards present experiences, which includes tuning emotions, thoughts, sensations, and bodily postures. Increased attention control, improved emotion regulation, and alteration of self-awareness are the three main components of mindfulness.
The state of being mindful while eating is coined as “mindful eating” – an act of intentionally paying attention to our food, in the present and without judgement.
In short, mindfulness is our ability to be fully aware of our own actions, thoughts, emotion, and bodily sensations. This state of mind is innate in nature, and it takes learning and practice to be able to access it. We can access mindfulness through known practices such as meditation, yoga, mindful walking, and breathing practices.
But, did you know that mindfulness can be practiced through eating as well?
The state of being mindful while eating is coined as “mindful eating” – an act of intentionally paying attention to our food, in the present state and without judgement.
Joseph B. Nelson affirmed that mindful eating has less to do with calories, or macro- and micronutrients intake. He further said that goal of mindful eating has to do with promoting individuals to appreciate the food and the eating experience, and to encourage the state of being fully present while eating, without aiming to lose weight.
Practicing mindful eating encourages you to practice a healthy lifestyle in both the physical and mental aspects. Well, physically, it promotes you to eat at a slower pace; therefore, making you savor your food better and promote healthy gut processing. This means that those who practice mindful eating are able to avoid problems relating to the digestive system.
Mentally, it helps you slow down your mind by taking the time to chew bit by bit and being conscious of the present. This practice helps you to become more mindful of what you are consuming. In other words, you become aware of everything that you intake.
When you are aware of the things you consume (physically and mentally), you’ll tend to shift your intakes towards a healthier choice of products. Naturally, you will want what’s best for you.
You are what you eat. And perhaps, how you eat too.
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