Walk the Talk

Walk the talk

 As a therapist, I often share recommendations from books or articles that I’ve read. I don’t assign homework, that’s not my style- but I will encourage people to try different things out, as a supportive practice to therapy. 

The irony is this: I will often recommend things that I think will work but have not actually tried out for myself. I take for granted that the phrase “the research shows...” means the action will likely be helpful. 

Well, this year I am going to Walk the Talk, and do my own research. 

Its a cliche to start New things on January 1st, but there you are- it’s a new Year, and a MONDAY, and so I embrace the cliche. In the Spirit of Gretchen Rubin (The Happiness Project) I am going to focus on something different each month, and report findings here. 

Let the fun begin ; )

 

 

Mindful eating

Mindful eating: without screens, books, or other distractions. It's especially difficult when eating alone!

So far, I've done it for 4 meals. Doesn't sound like much, does it? But I've noticed a couple of things already:

1. I am taking longer to eat
2. I am tasting my food more fully

And as an added bonus (so far) I am feeling more satisfied with the meal. 

Some of these findings are to be expected.

In fact, I've first read about them in Brian Wasink's book "Mindless Eating- Why We Eat More than We Think". 

Brian studies eating habits and he shares his results in this entertaining book.

For example: our stomachs have no way of counting food. 

There is no built-in mechanism for gauging how many chicken wings, or chunks of cheese, or cups of coffee. So, when we eat mindlessly, with attention on something else, it's easy to overdo it. The body only tells us later, with discomfort or caffeine fueled anxiety.

Following up on Brian's recommendations is part of January's project. 

January

My plan is to add one new practice and remove one old practice. 
For January then: 

• add a daily mile on my treadmill
• remove the habit of watching screens while eating.

Excercise has been linked with improved mood in multiple studies, and I often suggest it to my clients. I however, have been incredibly sedentary for the last number of years. This is starting to have some ill effects: subway stairs often leave me a little short of breath- an alarming sign!

And there is a certain amount of tiredness that gets in the way of my enjoyment of life- inactivity breeds inactivity! So I am going to start with a low bar: 1 mile a day for January.

Eating mindfully is something I don’t recommend to others very often, but it’s something that is often mentioned in articles and books on health and nutrition. I notice that when I watch a show or YouTube, or even read while eating, the food simply goes unnoticed, as does the amount I am eating. 

But cutting out screens while I eat, I hope to appreciate my food more fully, and experiment with the idea of mindfulness, gratitude, and presence- doing one thing at a time!