Tag: mindful

What do you think when you hear the term “mindful eating”? Before answering that question, you need to know what mindfulness entails. The practice of being mindful refers to being present. It means to be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and senses in a given moment.

Practicing mindfulness has many benefits and can lead to better focus, sleep, and overall performance and health. When it comes to addiction recovery, mindfulness plays a significant role in change and healing. Learn more about the important benefits of practicing mindfulness in recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol here.

Being mindful requires you to drown out distractions. This is necessary for you to focus on being present in the moment. It may sound simple, but it can take some practice to master for some people.

The Practice of Mindful Eating

Mindful eating requires the same attention to your experience in the moment. The idea is to focus on each bite, noting each flavor and texture. Sounds easy, right? It can be. It can also be tough to kick old habits that make mindful eating difficult. Below are a few tips for practicing mindful eating, followed by the benefits of enjoying food this way.

#1. Remove Distractions

When was the last time you had a meal without watching TV, scrolling on your phone, or having a conversation with someone? In today’s society, eating a meal without some sort of distraction or level of multitasking is a rarity.

Mindful eating requires complete focus on the food you are putting in your mouth. In order to achieve this level of focus, you have to put down your phone and turn off your TV. You might find that you enjoy your food more when you take the time to really appreciate it.

#2. Slow Down

Everyone is in a rush these days. Taking the time to sit down and slowly eat a meal is not always possible. More often than not, we scarf down our breakfast to get out the door in time for work. Or, we mindlessly eat our lunch or dinner in a hurry only to move on to the next activity.

Try slowing down a bit. Make an effort to chew each bite thoroughly and allow your taste buds to fully experience each bite you take. Eating your meals slower has many benefits aside from providing you the opportunity to appreciate the food you are consuming.

#3. Eat the Right Amount

We all can admit to overeating on occasion. Additionally, we can probably all recall a situation where we skipped a meal or grabbed a handful of almonds and called it lunch. By prioritizing your meals and taking time to eat them properly, you allow your body time to process the nutrients and recognize when it is satisfied.

When you eat too fast, it can be easy to consume too much. When you don’t prioritize and plan time for meals, you may not eat enough. Either scenario can leave you feeling lethargic, distracted, and unwell.

As you become more accustomed to mindful eating, you will learn the best portion sizes and be able to determine what your body needs. Focusing on how the food you eat makes you feel can offer insight and help you understand the signals when your body has had enough.

The Benefits of Mindful Eating

Participating in regular mindful eating can have many benefits to your overall health and wellness. If you are struggling with substance abuse or are in treatment or recovery, eating well is essential to your success. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer wellness and nutrition groups that feature harvesting, cooking, and preparing healthy and organic meals. Our clients are encouraged to practice mindfulness throughout every day, and mealtime is no exception.

Mindful eating can be advantageous to the mind and body in many ways. A few examples include:

• Better focus
• Improved sleep
• Weight management
• Less waste
• Better digestion
• Reduced stress
• Increased self-awareness

As you can see, mindful eating can enhance your life in many significant ways. If you love food, why not make the extra effort to really enjoy it? Substance abuse can significantly affect your appetite, digestion, and metabolism. Mindful eating can help restore balance and promote better functioning.

The next time you sit down for a meal and habitually open up your phone to start scrolling, remind yourself to stop and take a moment to enjoy your food. You might gain a new appreciation for what you eat and how it can fuel your body. Mindfulness in all areas of life is beneficial. Adopting the practice of mindful eating can help you feel well, allowing you to focus on your goals in treatment and recovery.

The practice of mindful eating is something we could all benefit from. It involves appreciating and focusing on each bite. There are many advantages to this important practice. These can include better focus, more quality sleep, improved digestion, less stress, and more. Mindfulness is something we focus on at Enlightened Solutions. We believe that the connection between the mind, body, and spirit is essential when it comes to success in recovery. We also prioritize eating well and harvest fresh, organic ingredients from our garden to serve our clients. This allows for healing from the inside out. If you or someone you care about is struggling with addiction, we can help. Reach out to Enlightened Solutions today by calling (833) 801-LIVE.