We are all programmed to receive pleasure on a regular basis, even more so, we actually need to make sure we receive enough pleasure regularly. Our brains are programmed to make one of two decisions – receive pleasure or avoid pain. We are reward-driven and we are extremely motivated by pleasure and ‘feel-good’ experiences. Four of the most natural pleasure’s for humans are food, water, exercise and sex, and if we allow these to be utilised properly in our lives then we receive all the pleasure we need to be happy on a regular basis. When we deny ourselves enough pleasure our need for more increases, and we crave and search for ways to get that pleasure. Some turn to unhealthy methods such as drugs or alcohol, others find obsessive behaviours, or others binge on these natural pleasures in unhealthy ways – such as food, sex or exercise. If we look at food as an example, the ability to enjoy food and gain ample pleasure from it has been destroyed in so many people by this diet-obsessed world full of restrictions, banning and guilt. Too many people won’t allow themselves to gain pleasure from the food they eat because they are so wrapped up in feeling guilty about every wrong mouthful they have. We are made to feel worthless or not good enough if we overindulge in unhealthy foods, which in turn destroys the ability to draw pleasure from it. It’s rather ironic that we are now so obsessed about eating healthy, but it’s that obsession that is creating the inability to gain the pleasure. We are all emotional eaters to some degree, that is how we are programmed, but the emotional eating is not the issue. Everyone can emotionally eat from time to time and there need be no negative side effects. The issue doesn’t lie in the emotional eating, it lies in the way you perceive your food and the way you choose to eat your food. If you know you struggle with control over food and use food emotionally more than you would like just allow yourself the ability to gain pleasure from your food. I always say to people, if you are going to make the choice to eat it, then eat it with the utmost pleasure and enjoyment you can, because if you don’t, then you really won’t satisfy your pleasure needs and will continue to crave and binge on more in this desperate need to get that pleasure. Regardless of whether it is healthy and going to compliment your body or not, if you are going to eat it then I really encourage you to, firstly, sit down with the food at a place you associate with eating, remove any distractions such as phones and TV, then wholly focus on the food you are eating, savour every mouthful you are having and feel how good it tastes and how much you enjoy it. Eat slowly, letting the food digest, letting your brain absorb the pleasure and realise that you are actually allowed to enjoy nice food, and that you are actually good enough the way you are. Don’t make excuses for why you are eating, and don’t feel the need to justify it to anybody, yourself included. The next step to the emotional eating picture is to focus more on areas outside of just the food to gain your pleasure requirements. Some people require more pleasure than others, and this is a whole new topic on its own, however just look at your life and find ways that you can enhance as much pleasure as you can, aside from food. Exercise is great as it really triggers the pleasure centres within your brain, but again don’t do it because it’s a chore, find ways to move that you love (conventional exercise or not, doesn’t matter), and when you do exercise, focus on how much your body is receiving the ‘feel-good’ feelings from it. Breathe deeply through your exercise, admire how it makes you feel strong and love the feeling of sweating because it detoxifies your body. Look always at the good it does to your body. Don’t focus on how you have to do it to lose weight, focus on why your body loves it. Emotional eating is a huge topic on its own, but just begin by knowing everyone is an emotional eater – you are not in this on your own. It is one of the only ways you can fill unhappy voids within you without people noticing. Those voids within you are created through many reasons, but one being that of lack of pleasure. Fill yourself with as much pleasure as you can, completely guilt-free, and you will find your attachment to food will be easier on you. Always, and always, be kind to yourself though, because you are good enough, regardless of how much you eat. Have a great day and deep breath! Kerri x
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Kerri van de Loo - Mindfulness coach, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach & SELF-LOVE COACH:Join our Online Wellness Club here: https://www.bodyessence.co.nz/wellness-club.html Categories
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December 2022
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