There's nothing like having seven projects all due tomorrow, family and loved ones that want attention RIGHT NOW, and a summer vacation that needs to be packed for to have us reaching for the fastest food available and probably eating it just as quickly (does eating in the car or standing up ring a bell?). The thing to really remember is that this is the one time (more than any other) to actually carefully choose how you use your eating and your food in order to care for your energy. Here are 5 ways you can use food and eating to ease your state of stress and serve your body, energy and well-being at the same time. Take a deep breath and stop long enough to read this list. It will be the first step in making a difference when you find yourself in a state of overwhelm. 1. The 5 Second Focus -one of my favorite techniques. You can use this anytime. When you sense yourself going off track and plunging into overwhelm ... you already have that chocolate cake to your lips, or you're standing in front of the fridge eating dinner as fast as you can, or you're about to do anything else that is going to take your body and your life off of its energy course, I want you to stop and, just for 5 seconds, feel good. Choose a moment in your life when you just felt AMAZING. (Preferably pick a moment that did not come from eating something or buying something; we want this moment to be as connected to you as possible.) For example, the first moment you fell in love, the birth of a child, the winning of an award or, even better, something simple. My favorite is the way the sun feels on my face during the first days of fall. Whatever it take for you to connect back to that moment, not just by thinking but by feeling. 2. Chew Slowly - If you absolutely only have 5 to 10 minutes to eat or there's no other choice but to eat at your desk, do yourself a favor and don't look at the computer screen while you chew. If you're driving, pull over for 5 to 10 minutes. Turn your attention to what you're eating and let your mouth do what it's meant to: chew. When your eyes are distracted, you'll eat more and chew less. This means difficult digestion, weight gain, raising of blood pressure and, yep, more stress for your body. Important: not chewing is not serving you. If you have only a small amount of time to eat - use it to serve your body. 3. Nothing New - When you're in the midst of overwhelm and stress, this is not the time to be trying new foods. Your body is already operating at its height and being pushed to the limit, and you don't want to add to the pressure by introducing a food that might not work for your system. At times of extreme it's about being kind and gentle to you. Use what works and make sure it's serving your system not just your taste buds. 4. Choose EnergyRICH - people often confine their food to convenience when demand is high and the schedule is packed. Unfortunately, convenience food is usually about ingredients that allow it to be easy, quick and available for you: preservatives and trans fats. These do nothing but aid your energy lag and your irritation by pulling your energy to focus on only one thing: trying to get those toxins out of your body! Wouldn't you rather have your energy available to tackle all of your tasks? What are your options? This is where we K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Silly) - go for whole, as close to the source as possible and foods that travel well on the go: carrots, cucumbers, a piece of chicken, almonds, hard boiled eggs ... are you with me? 5. Be Prepared - believe that most of us would not be operating in a state of overwhelm were we given the choice. So what needs to happen is that you need to look ahead: check your calendar, map out your deadlines, your trips, your family's needs. If you see a crazy week coming up, stock the fridge and make up some simple meals that can last up to three days in the fridge to be eaten cold or re-heated quickly: whole grains and beans, stir-fry, soups. It's important for you to drive your life, not the other way around. So you do what you need to, but you fuel your body so that it doesn't feel as taxing, draining and overwhelming. (Extra Tip: When the schedule slows down, keep it clear. Take time to rest, relax and rejuvenate rather than filling it with something else and keeping the wheel forever turning. I want the best for you.) |
