Listening to Ourselves
The first step to increase our mindful eating habits is to listen to ourselves. Physiologically, we have two main hormones regulating our appetite. The first hormone is ghrelin, released when the stomach is empty and makes us feel hungry, while another, leptin, tells us to stop eating when we’re full. Although these hormones can be effective at regulating our appetite, they are easy to ignore. While conventional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to change our thoughts regarding appetite and “good”/“bad” foods, mindfulness takes a more passive approach, enabling us to become more accepting and aware of our thoughts, feelings and physiological cues. One study assessed the efficacy of a six week two-hour mindfulness program that included meditation, mindful eating and group discussion for obese patients. They found that upon completion, the patient's’ weight, stress levels and rates of depression were significantly reduced. The researchers believed that due to the patient’s increased mindfulness, they could acknowledge their physiological satiation cues and respond accordingly. |
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