In yoga there is a law that states: “where attention goes energy flows“.
So, whatever you are present to is what is fed, what flowers, what grows.
This can be applied to just about any area of your life.
But what I want to focus on here is how presence relates to your metabolism, energy, digestion and your health.
First, let’s just look at what presence is and how it works.
It has been scientifically proven that we can affect anything simply by observing it and paying attention to it. You can affect another’s behavior by observing them.
We might call this self-consciousness, but this phenomenon has also been shown in animals, planets and more.
You may have even noticed for yourself that when you are in nature, observing the beauty around you, that you experience an almost immediate sense of relaxation and well being.
Well, this emotional responsiveness to what we put our attention on also relates to our body and to our metabolism.
When you eat with awareness and really fully choose presence with your meals, research has shown that you actually assimilate more nutrients, digest better and boost your metabolism.
Digestion, in fact, begins in the head! Wow!
Now, you may be saying “big deal, I don’t have time for this”, or “I don’t really care”.
Well, I encourage you to listen up because if you wish to maximize the nutrition from the food you eat, increase your energy, burn more calories without getting on the treadmill, get more enjoyment from your food and prevent overeating, this is THE tip you can start right away for profound results.
Without presence in the act of eating, you will experience less enzymatic action in the gut and be more likely to experience digestive problems (even if you don’t “feel” them), bowel disorders, lowered immunity, and fatigue. Not to mention you will most likely hold onto weight, have more difficulty losing excess weight AND overeat.
YIKES!
In order to take full advantage of the metabolic power of presence, you must give your full attention to eating. This means no TV, no reading, no computer, no eating while you work or while you drive. Be fully present.
Now, the slight exception to this would be eating in the presence of others. This is fine and even beneficial. Sharing a relaxed meal with family or friends is still supporting the attention being on your food and the act of eating.
Your Action Step:
For the next week be totally 100% present to your meals (and snacks). Remove all distractions and commit to this with your whole self.
Create a relaxing atmosphere alone or with others. If you are at work, step away from your desk.
Notice your food, smell it, look at it, really taste it, chew it, breath it.
Really make this a meditation.
Extra credit: Now if at some point during the week you choose to indulge in or binge on a “forbidden” food, be totally present.
DO NOT leave the building. Pay attention to what happens when you actually scoop the ice cream out of the container into a beautiful bowl, create a calm and comfortable environment and sit down, while enjoying it slowly.
If you are eating low quality ice cream, you will most likely put it down pretty quickly. : )
Even if you are eating the good stuff, you will most likely be satisfied with less.
This is not easy, I know, so be gentle with yourself.
I encourage you to try this, and please leave a comment below to let me know how it goes!
with love,
Ana
p.s. Are you ready to get serious about boosting your body’s natural healing powers, boosting your metabolism, increasing energy, raising your vibration and living a fulfilling, joy-filled life all from the comfort of your own home?
In my Total Body Transformation Program homestudy course, I walk you through step by step in how to reach your goals and become energized & radiant, naturally.
Questions, Comments? Please email me at Ana@YogaBodyNutrition.com
