1.Take 5 deep breaths with a longer exhale
than inhale before you begin eating.
2. Chew your food
That is it. Why?
These two habits begin the process of healthy digestion.
In order to digest our food properly, our parasympathetic nervous system must be activated. However, many of us spend our days with our sympathetic nervous systems running the show. Whether a threat or stress is real or perceived, our sympathetic nervous system is what allows us to handle the threat/stress in front of us. It stimulates a whole cascade of life saving processes in the body that allows us to FIGHT or RUN like hell away from the threat/stress.
During these times of stress, real or perceived, our body, in all of its WISDOM, must prioritize what is important for keeping us alive in that moment. And wouldn’t you know, things like sleep, sex, reproduction, and DIGESTION are NOT on that list. Read that again.
In what other areas of your life is a chronic stress response causing problems?
In our modern world, with so many people experiencing such high levels of stress, we must find ways to send signals to our bodies that we are okay. In this moment, we are safe.
One way we can do this is through our BREATH.
By taking 5 deep belly breaths before we put any food in our mouths, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The part of our nervous system sometimes referred to as “rest and digest”.
By making our exhale longer than our inhale, our brain gets the message that we are okay. This is the opposite of the shallow, inhale centric breathing we do when we are stressed. Try breathing in for a count of 4 and out for a count of 6 or in for 6 and out for 8.
This also creates a PAUSE. A TRANSITION from whatever we were doing previously….to EATING.
In a world where we rarely slow down and are constantly on to the next, transitions are so important. We need transitions. Our kids desperately need transitions.
Then we chew. Every. Single. Bite. Thoroughly.
Digestion actually starts before we even put food in our mouth. Ideally, it starts while we are cooking. Seeing and smelling the food as it cooks stimulates our digestive juices and enzymes. This anticipation and sensing sends signals to the body that it is going to receive food and nourishment.
With our mouth and stomach primed, CHEWING this food is the next component of digestion. When we don’t chew enough, we put an unnecessary burden on our stomach.
Our digestive systems are already at such a disadvantage. Considering the prevalence of nutrient deficient foods, low fiber diets, stress, alcohol, prescription and over the counter medications, and environmental toxins, it is no wonder so many people are suffering with digestive disorders. All of these impair proper, healthy gut function.
Chewing my friends is low hanging fruit. Do it and help support your gut.
So try these two practices at every meal. Take 5 deep breaths before you eat and chew your food.
Do this for a week. A month. A year. NOTICE.
I would love to hear how this goes.
Are you or someone you know struggling with stress, extra weight, sugar and carb cravings, a slow metabolism? If you are fed up and want to feel better, I can help! You don’t have to do this alone.
AWN
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