Mindful Eating is a new way to combat emotional hunger and binge eating by using conscious breathing techniques and relaxation exercises. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, 3.5 percent of women between the ages of 45 and 59 suffer from eating disorders, while for men the percentage is between 1 and 2 percent. Mindful Eating practices are becoming increasingly popular on the web and on social media platforms and are being recognized as a therapeutic approach to eating disorders.
Giulia Gualdi, a psychotherapist expert in Mindfulness, explains that nervous hunger is a sudden and uncontrollable desire to eat, triggered by intense emotions such as anxiety and sadness. People often turn to food to temporarily calm their emotions, but this can lead to negative consequences, such as guilt and personal ineffectiveness.
To combat emotional hunger, practicing Mindful Eating can be useful as it promotes the development of awareness of the sensations that generate nervous hunger. Conscious breathing and relaxation exercises help to relax the nervous system and shift attention from the feeling of hunger to the present moment. Nutritional neurobiologist Giorgio Cuzzola suggests practicing these exercises for 5-10 minutes daily to see results.
In addition to these exercises, Dr. Cuzzola recommends keeping a “self-observation” notebook to note the evolution of emotions and the perception of hunger before and after Mindful Eating meditation practice. However, it is always advisable to consult a specialist to explore the roots of nervous hunger and develop a healthy relationship with food.
This new approach to fighting emotional hunger is gaining attention, and it may be the key to helping people regain control over their eating habits and improve their overall well-being. To read the full article and explore the entire website, visit The Messenger.