ManifestingWellBeing.com

What did you eat today? Chips? A hamburger? Cookies? An Apple? Most of us are aware of what food we eat on a given day. Some people also pay close attention to other ways of tracking what they ate, such as how many “points” the consumed or how many calories. The fact is that in addition to eating food, we also eat to suppress our emotions. As a result, because we are emotionally eating instead of to fuel our body, we may overeat, or eat foods that are less than healthy for us.

To see if you are “eating your emotions,” first, look at what events happen before you eat. Pay special attention to the times when you eat between meals. Look at the events that happen before you eat, or the events that you are thinking of, before you eat. What was happening? Were the kids acting out, did you have a fight with your spouse, or did you have a stressful day at work? Any emotion, such as anger, frustration, disappointment, anxiety, excitement, can cause us to over eat or eat foods that are not healthy for us.

The next step is to become aware of what you are doing when you over eat or choose less than healthy foods. Are you watching television, talking on the phone, on the computer? To help you eat more consciously, here are some suggestions that will help to improve your digestion and support you in avoiding the temptation to overeat:
Eat slowly
Try to not do other activities while you are eating
Pay attention to the texture and flavor of what you are eating
Think kindly of yourself
Appreciate the food that you are eating

Preliminary results indicate that being more mindful may help to reduce weight. So the next time you find yourself feeling stressed and reaching for something to eat, it may help to take a deep breath and notice what is happening . . . .

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.
www.ManifestingWellBeing.com
Manifesting Well Being for Health and Success

"the blessing of beauty"

With the rocky economy it can be difficult at times to feel grateful instead of grumbling about what isn’t right with the world. However, by taking time to be grateful even during difficult times and at challenging moments, exceptional personal growth can take place. I read an excellent article by Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul, on Gratitude and Appreciation. You can read the full article here:

http://jackcanfield.com/files/newsletter_archive/112008.htm

I began to reflect on moments that I have made a conscious effort to focus on gratitude and appreciation. A few weeks ago I experienced a very challenging moment when I discovered that one of my car tires was very flat. This was particularly inconvenient as I was 40 miles from home. As I was given the news by a very sweet woman in a restaurant where I was having lunch, I realized that I had a choice about how I was going to react to my flat tire. I could have certainly become “justifiably” upset, or I could calmly face the situation and focus on the blessings around me at that moment. The blessings I chose to focus on included the fact that I was not alone as I decided what to do. My aunt and cousin were with me and offered tremendous support. It was a brilliantly sunny day and neither pouring rain or snowing. I did have a spare tire in my trunk if I needed it, and calling AAA was always an option.

As I focused on these blessings I remained very calm and at ease. The flat tire no longer seemed to be such a big deal. With a few stops along the way at gasoline station air pumps, I made it safely home, and found a tire service station that could work on my car right way. (It was even a Sunday!). While I waited for my car I read a wonderful book and actually enjoyed the extra time to relax. Once my tire situation was evaluated I was informed that I actually needed two new tires. Fortunately, I was later told by a family member that I had received a great deal on the tires!

So as you go throughout your holiday season look for people, circumstances and events to appreciate. The more you appreciate the more grateful you will feel and the more beautiful life will become. You can have a lovely holiday season despite what they may be saying on the news!

Deborah Barnett, Ph.D.

ManifestingWellBeing.com

“Manifesting Well-Being for Health and Success”