Soul music legend, Al Green鈥檚 rendition of the ballad 鈥淗ow Do You Mend A Broken Heart?鈥� seems like an appropriate song for what those of us in the Boulder community are feeling right now. Granted, eating mindfully cannot eliminate the pain we may be experiencing,听but it possesses the potential of paving a way for us to nourish our body and mind. Eating mindfully can help us to slow down and shift our focus. It also can support our exploration of the smells, textures, and flavors that can escape our notice when we are otherwise distracted and not fully present.听听
Please accept this heartfelt invitation to take your time; savor your food; notice your thoughts, feelings and sensations as you eat.听 Perhaps you consider this practice of eating mindfully as an act of self-compassion and mending during this time of collective heartbreak.
Paying attention to things we do every day is a great way to start being mindful, especially activities we engage in without much thought, i.e., on autopilot. For many of us, eating is one of these things. We eat on the go, while doing homework or watching tv, checking our phones, and other activities that pull attention away from actually experiencing our food. Even though the ability to go on autopilot can be useful鈥攍ike when you need to unlock your phone鈥攊t鈥檚 helpful to not have to recall your passcode each time. However, being on autopilot can pose a problem, like when you miss out on a really great experience or some important information because your mind was elsewhere. Mindfulness can be an alternative to autopilot.
Here is a brief mindful eating practice that is brought to you by Michele D. Simpson, J.D., affiliate faculty, Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute and CU Boulder Senior Instructor.
The concept of eating mindfully may be new to you (or even sound a bit strange). The invitation is to give it a try. For a few moments, see what you find by slowing down and paying attention to flavors, textures, aromas, and more. After you鈥檝e practiced eating mindfully a few times, you may find that it becomes more natural and a little less strange.听
Bon Appetit.
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