Our Relationship to Food and Our Bodies/Selves
Food holds so much for so many. Nourishment, pleasure, comfort, connection, disconnection, and on and on...These days, a pandemic can inspire taking good care of ourselves through healthy eating or turning to tasty treats to nurture and soothe. Holidays come and we often indulge. Vacations are another opportune time to stray from the beaten path. A business dinner, lunch out or staff meeting carries with it, the opportunity for indulging. And then convenient , fast foods are so available and extremely appealing in our very full, exhausting days.
We create patterns, habits, live lifestyles that we become attached to, and despite our "knowing" we feel stuck! Eating different foods is a lovely way to spice up our lives, experience the pleasure of a surprising, new taste. Sounds lovely, enticing, yet so many of us struggle to feel good in our bodies and still enjoy the simple pleasures of food. What is going on?
If I had to sum it up, I'd describe several factors: our lifestyles are so full, we are exhausted and turn to food to ease the stress of it all and incorporate immediate pleasure. We are also disconnected from our bodies true needs and desires. And then of course there are patterns or habits that we tend toward without even thinking much about them.
Some struggle with cravings, feeling out of control with food, or simply can’t tap into the motivation to adjust food choices and habits. It can feel overwhelming.
Support can make a huge difference in shifting into a place many of us know about but cannot access. It is helpful to receive honest, kind reflection back, questions, help in setting realistic and reasonable expectations of ourselves. Support groups can be helpful as when we listen to others’ struggles, it gives us perspective on our own. Individual regular support can also really help as sometimes, declaring our intentions and goals, outside of ourselves, can create accountability and commitment. So, consider enrolling in something for YOU, even if it’s journaling daily and checking-in on whatever it is you hope to shift, even slightly.
