Mindfulness weekly idea May 12-18 2019

Mindful Eating

Many people eat without paying attention to what we are doing. However, this week's challenge is all about attending to the simple process of eating. Mindful eating is just concentrating on what you are eating. During this process you will learn to enjoy in a deeper way something you do every day.

Its a good idea to pick a healthy, tasty fruit. Before you start ask yourself a few questions: Do you gobble your food without thinking about what you are doing? Are you often distracted by your environment, a worry or concern while you eat? Do you ever anticipate how something will taste in your mouth or think about the texture?

To start look at the food you are about to eat, touch it with your fingers and explore this food. Notice the texture, color and size. Remember to go slow. Is this food soft or hard, smooth or rough to the touch?

Now bring the food to your mouth and as you do notice when you first smell the food. Do you notice any changes in your mouth before you taste it?

As you slowly put the food in your mouth, notice how your lips feel as it makes contact with the food.

As you bite into the food notice the sound it makes. Notice how your jaw feels. Notice the changes as you bite. Try to feel your teeth bite the food. How does the food taste? Have you tasted this before or is this new?

Continue to chew slowly and thoughtfully. As you chew notice all your sense; touch, taste, smell and sound.

As you swallow your food notice the feeling as it slides down your throat.

Continue to notice you senses as you slowly put another bit into your mouth. Has the complex flavours changed? What do you notice with this new bite?

If you mind become distracted, gently bring your attention back to eating.

After you swallow your last bite take a deep breath.

Questions for discussion:

What did you notice during the mindful eating? How did you feel? Tense or relaxed? Distracted or focused?

Was this a different way of eating? How so?

What different aspects of eating did you notice? What did you notice about the food?

How did the food smell and feel?

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