AdobeStock_71085330-640x427-1

Eating Healthy Part 3: Connecting, Visualizing & Movement

by Dr. Shelese Pratt ND @ The Pratt Clinics

Boulder, Colorado

303.284.3180

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am back to talk with you about ways to improve your mindset around food. Please review the previous blogs for the first 4 suggestions. Here are the next 4 steps in my program to implement into your life for vibrant health.

5. Visualize your Health

Ask any high performance athlete how important it is to visualize success. I say, try the same thing with your health. Imagine what your life would be like if you felt healthy and energized all the time. What would you do with that extra energy? Picture it in your head and write it down. Create a healthy meal in your mind’s eye.  How would it taste? How would your body feel if it was thriving? Then you should imagine how that would change your life. This visualization will help you make your goals a reality.

6. Hug It Out

Touching other people releases oxytocin. This hormone makes us feel connected to our loved ones. It also helps us control our appetite and reduce food cravings. So go give someone a hug!

7. Mediation

Scientist found that regular meditation creates structural changes in the parts of the brain involved with monitoring focus and self-control. It’s pretty simple to do and can be done in minutes. I would suggest with starting a sitting mediation practice and commit to 5 minutes everyday at the same time. Add a few minutes each week. Maybe by week 5 of your meditation you can sit for 15-20 minutes.  Mediation will also help you create more awareness in your life. This awareness will allow you to choose if you are actually hungry or if you are feeling emotional or board.

8. Move It or Lose It!

Sometimes we are more motivated to eat healthy when we are exercising. I’ve had days when I come home from work tired and the last thing I want to do is exercise. Instead, I could sit home, watch a movie, eat dinner and follow it up with a gluten free brownie and a glass of wine. I rarely make this choice, because I know that if I go exercise I will feel less stressed, more energized, and make better decisions about what I will eat.  After I exercise, I don’t want that brownie or glass of wine. I would rather have vegetables and a tall glass of water.  Exercise is a powerful motivator for better health in general. When we exercise we feel more committed to how we treat our body.

By practicing visualization, hugging, meditation and exercise you will become more present in your body. You will become more connected to mindset of health and ultimately change your relationship to food in a positive way. 

If you have any questions please call my office. I am here for you.

Click here to explore our services at Flatirons Naturopathic Clinic.

Tags: No tags