Editor’s note: Updated in 2018 for clarity and additional resources.
I’m a pretty fast-paced lady. I do everything fast: I talk fast, work fast and move fast.
This speedy energy has served me very well in many areas of my life, but not at the dinner table. All my life I’ve been a fast eater. This negative pattern has been self-destructive in two ways: I never really taste or savor my food, and I feel anxious around mealtime.
As always, I’ve chosen to teach what I need to learn. In this video I offer three steps to eat more slowly and mindfully.
My eating habits offer me an ongoing learning opportunity to tune in, relax and enjoy the moment. Watch now for my tips on how to eat more slowly and mindfully:
Tip #1: Invite spirit into your meal
To eat more slowly and mindfully, invite spirit into your meal. You can do this through a prayer or by setting an intention. Just say, “Thank you, spirit, for eating with me.”
By inviting this invisible force into your presence, you allow it to calm you. Doing this helps you step out of who you think you are, this fast-paced person, and allows an energy greater than you to move through. Eating is a quite sacred and fundamental act. By inviting spirit to eat with you, you’re never alone.
Tip #2: Eat with chopsticks!
If you want to eat more slowly, eat with a utensil you’re not used to using. For me, that would be chopsticks. For someone who grew up eating chopsticks, it might be a fork. Now, this isn’t something you need to do forever. But while you’re working on changing your habit and eating more slowly, try this tip. It helps you to slow down and become more aware. Plus it’s fun!
Tip #3: Focus on the conversation
If you’re eating with others, start to talk more. I find that if I talk more while I’m at a meal, I’ll eat more slowly. Make sure you’re not talking while you’re eating, because that’s typically what I will do! I’ll chomp while I’m speaking. Instead, take small breaks from eating to savor the conversation and experience of your meal. When we eat with others, it’s about more than food. It’s a time to catch up, to share, to bond. Be present. Set down your utensil and talk.
Want to heal your relationship to food and your body?
If you want more guidance on this topic, check out Finally Full, my digital course on spirituality and food.
However your food issues pop up in your life, and even if they seem to be running your life at times, you can create a healthy spiritual relationship to food and yourself.
In this 100% online course, I help you get to the root cause of your issues around food. Now is your time to release your fear around food and body image once and for all.
116 COMMENTS
I only recommend products and brands I passionately believe in, but wanted you to know that when I make a recommendation, I may receive a referral fee.