Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and I can honestly say that this year has been a rollercoaster. The optimism and positivity I felt at the beginning faded into the reality that I would be a full-time working, stay at home mother for the foreseeable future. Many of us are doing the impossible and although the impossible has become the new normal, life as we know it has been hard yet beautiful all wrapped up in one. Daily practices of gratitude, movement and mindfulness have been the groundwork for me to get by.
SO, what is mindfulness?
‘Mindfulness is the art of being present. Studies show mindfulness can help heal our minds and our body, with tangible benefits that include stress and anxiety reduction, improved concentration and attention, and management of chronic pain.” says, Ms. Exum, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with Community Health at Baptist Health South Florida.
This simple act of practicing presence can make even the most mundane tasks enjoyable! For example, hand washing. Stay with me. These days, we wash our hands multiple times throughout the day. By taking a moment to enjoy the smell of hand soap, the lather it creates and the way your hands feel under the warm, running water can make the experience feel almost luxurious.
Mindfulness can be practiced in all areas of your life and Mindful Eating is a great place to start. “Mindful eating is about awareness and attention of how you are eating, why you are eating and what you are eating,” explains Amy Kimberlain, registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator and Care Specialist (CDECS) with Community Health at Baptist Health South Florida. Mindful eating allows you to pay attention to the details and feel gratitude and satiety, even from the healthiest of foods!
To practice mindfulness during a meal requires practice. Especially with little ones running around, if you use a take a few tips from this article, you will be well on your way to success!
What are they?
Turn off or silence your devices: TV or cell phones have the ability to rob us of being present. Take a moment for you to enjoy your meal and relax.
Take a moment to clear your mind: Use mealtime as a moment to breathe. Even a few deep diaphragmatic breaths can help you tap into your parasympathetic nervous system.
Use your senses: We have senses for a reason and mealtime is a time to kick them all into high gear.
Savor the flavor: How often have you just scarfed your food down and forgot to taste it? Take a moment to enjoy it, savor it and truly taste every bite.
Notice the texture: If you notice the crunch or the creaminess of a food it can lead to a more satisfying experience.
Pause between bites: DO NOT RUSH. I repeat DO NOT RUSH. I know mealtime can be tough with littles. Maybe if they are anxious to get up, let them and enjoy the rest of the meal
Learning how to use mindfulness as a practice takes time, but the more you work on it the more the mundane, everyday tasks will become enjoyable, sensory filled experiences. For more on mindfulness, make sure to check out the full post from Baptist Health South Florida.