Enjoying your food has both mental and physical benefits.
1. Reduced stress. Paying attention to what you're eating is an excellent mindfulness exercise. Mindful exercises promote positive thinking. By concentrating on one thing, "in the now", your mind can release tension and overwhelming stress. When you're eating, focus on what is on your plate, how the texture feels as you chew, and the flavors of your meal. Those tasks that were bothering you earlier will slip to the back of your mind, leaving you relaxed, refreshed, and ready to tackle them when you return to the office.
2. Weight loss. Studies confirm that those who eat slower consume less calories. By making time to enjoy each bite, we give our bodies time to realize we're full and actually eat less.
3. Better digestion. Slower eating leads to better digestion because we chew more. By paying attention to what we're eating, we should also pay attention to the quality of food we're eating. Healthy home cooked meals are always a better choice than fast food chains. By reducing our fast food consumption, eating slower, and relaxing our bodies as we sit down for a meal, we'll achieve better digestion and healthier bodies.
