During Week 5 of our Mindful Eating Program, Debra focused on Movement and Breathing. Bringing your focus onto Movement and Breathing can help you get reconnected with yourself.
When you think about movement, try thinking about the words “joyfulness” or “playfulness” instead of “workout” or “exercise”. This can help you to enjoy what you are doing and be in the present moment. Find a physical activity that you love and embrace it!
HOME ASSIGNMENT: CHOOSE A MOVEMENT THAT YOU LOVE DOING AND ENJOY IT 3 TIMES THIS WEEK!
An excellent book on mindfulness recommended by Debra is Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery: A Step-by-Step MBSR Approach to Help you Cope with Treatment and Reclaim Your Life by Linda Carlson, PhD., R. Psych., Micheal Speca, PhD., R. Psych.
Debra also prompted the class to practice some breathing exercises. Practicing breathing exercises can help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.
HOME ASSIGNMENT: TAKE 3 MINUTES EACH DAY TO FOCUS ON DEEP BREATHING.
And here’s a fun fact – breathing is the only function your body can do consciously and subconsciously! When you practice consciously slowing down your breath and allowing yourself to maximize the amount of air through your inhale and exhale, you can help yourself to reduce stress and anxiety.
The class concluded by practicing inversions. This is as simple as laying on your back on the floor and propping your legs up against a wall. Inversions help to increase blood flow and stimulate the circulatory system.
HOME ASSIGNMENT: TRY DOING AN INVERSION AT HOME THIS WEEK AND SEE IF YOU FEEL MORE ENERGY AFTERWARDS. TRY NOT TO RUSH IT!
– Julie
This week’s class was all about sweet potatoes! Chef Malena demonstrated these delicious recipes:
2-Ingredient Biscuits with Sweet Potato Butter and Blueberry Compote
