Food Temptations & Holiday Stress

Are you feeling it? Holiday stress is in the air! Now is a very good time to create a protective shield for yourself and I would love to help you do just that!

For emotional eaters there is an additional layer of stress - all the food temptations! When so much external energy impacts us it is very helpful to find inner strength, and a safe, calm haven.

I offer, *below*, a simple, easy to learn, practice designed to create your own inner retreat.

This practice can help you if you are in that zone of losing weight and plan to continue in spite of the holidays; or, if you want to minimize weight gain, or maintain your weight.

The intention of this mind-body based exercise is to develop awareness without judgment or shame. The idea is to practice in-the-moment loving kindness and acceptance. When we “meet” ourselves without shame, wherever we are, in whatever we are doing, we practice unconditional love which is a main ingredient for transformation.

*THE PRACTICE*...At least once per day, for, I suggest, at least one full week...

I.     Just before eating, pause, take one mindful breath and think: “I choose to eat now.”

II.   During one bite, while chewing and swallowing, just notice your breath and the texture and taste of the food.

III.   Once during eating, pause, take a mindful breath before you take the next bite.

IV.  After eating take one more mindful breath. Notice your belly. Name how it feels. Is it full? Are you still hungry? Are you over stuffed?  Feel good about taking the time to notice, check in. This is self care. Self care leads to less eating. If you have negative self talk going on, give yourself a hug. This is when you need loving acceptance. The behavior is over. There is no benefit to lingering with self hatred!

V.   Take three more mindful breaths - thinking one phrase with each breath:

 “I am safe. I am calm. I am enough.”

What better way to break a mindless habit than to learn a mindful one!