By Sharni Quinn
One of the best ways to boost your energy is to be mindful of what you put into your body. Your eating habits have a huge impact on your energy levels and will make all the difference between whether you land up with a headache and feel irritable in the afternoon or whether you feel alive and invigorated.
Here are a few tips to be mindful of what and how you eat.
How hungry am I?
Ask yourself this question before you mindlessly pick at food just because it is within reach. Rate how hungry you are on a scale of 0-10. If you are down to the lower numbers then perhaps rather eat when you feel you are at a 6 or more.
Prepare your meals
Yes, we all live busy lives, however the more you prepare your meals and the more healthy alternatives you have in the fridge, the less inclined you are to just order take aways and eat rubbish.
De-clutter your kitchen
Nobody wants to spend time in a kitchen that is chaotic or over cluttered. Give your space a spring clean and spruce it up so that you actually feel inspired to cook
No distractions
Eating when using the computer, or checking the phone, or driving is actually a sure way to not be conscious of how much or what you consume. Take a few moments every day to sit down and eat your meals slowly. The food will be more enjoyable and tastier and then you will realize when you feel full, therefore eat less.
Eat with intention
Eat with the intention to care for yourself. Use this ritual to consume nourishing food therefore fueling your whole system with living and energizing nutrients. This will certainly assist any exercise training program you might be on!
Learn more about yourself
Understanding your personal eating pattern is a powerful first step toward meaningful transformation. Are you an emotional eater? Do you not eat at all because you live on 10 cups of coffee a day? What are your habits and belief systems around foods that are holding you back and sapping your energy?
Listen to your body
With the never-ending flow of outside influences such as advertising, friends, culture and social pressure, it is easy to become disassociated from eating what our body actually needs. Eating with awareness is key to listening to your body and honouring it.
Chew before you swallow
Chewing at least 20-30 times with each bite ensures that you will be able to digest the food easier and gain optimum nutrition and enjoyment from each bite. This also means that you won’t over eat and feel heavy at the end of your meal.
Use these tips to nourish your body and mind, cultivate more energy and feel the effects of mindful eating in your everyday life.
