I
know, I know -- you're thinking this happiness tip is pretty bogus. I
mean, who doesn't feel happier when they eat? Am I really advocating
food-as-joy?
Maybe:
It's all in how food is consumed. How often do you eat breakfast
standing up or in the car? Do you eat lunch in front of your computer,
at your desk, or buried behind a book? How often do you just eat, without also doing something else?
In
the wild (or, say, kindergarten), we mammals naturally take breaks to
refuel with a snack or a meal. Don't squander this natural rest period
by wolfing down your lunch while you read your email, or by sipping a
latte while driving to work and calling that breakfast. Practice eating mindfully,
paying attention to your food and the people you are with. Notice what
you are eating and how quickly or slowly. Breathe. Relax. You will feel
more calm and content.
Take Action: If you rarely just eat
without also doing something else, start small. Perhaps commit to
savoring your food for the first 5 bites, or maybe 5 minutes of every
meal. Or to eating one lunch a week by yourself, not at your desk, with
no distractions.
May you be happy,
Christine Carter, PhD
