Meal Time & Connection To The Body Flashcards
How should we consider meal time?
Meal time is our connection to the flow, pulse and meter of the rhythms of nature.
The body connects to a natural rhythm or routine be it loves stability, whereas the mind loves freedom.
What do consistent mealtimes do for the body?
It can result in:
-reducing total cholesterol and LDL
-reducing resistance to insulin
-reducing overall risk to developing heart disease
-less total food intake
-keeping blood sugar levels stable
How can we gain the most digestive power and strongest metabolism?
Consider connecting our mealtimes to the cycles, rhythms ad routines of nature.
EX.
In the morning the sun rises, body temperature begins to rise and metabolism is waking up
(This is why it’s important to eat breakfast - to fuel the metabolism)
At noon body temperature has a slow & steady rise until it peaks along with the sun (digestive power is hottest at lunchtime) and lunch should be the biggest meal of the day
Between 2-5pm blood flow and oxygen is rerouted to digestion, body temperature dips causing sleepiness (if a rest period is had, this increases cognitive function, physical performance, mood, energy)
Between 4-6pm body temperature rise slightly and this is a good time to eat a smaller meal
9pm and after body temperature takes another dip preparing the body for sleep
After 10pm the body is working on detoxing (if you eat after 10pm food will block detoxification toxins accumulate in the system resulting in waking up feeling tired or sluggish the next day)
What are you really asking your client to do when you ask them to commit to consistent meal times?
You are asking them to honor themselves every single day, multiple times a day
What is meant by the “inner” game that a client may have in regard to meal timing?
What is it that they are valuing more if they are having resistance to consistent meal time.
“Everyone is always winning the game they are playing.”
In other words, people work perfectly to produce the results they are getting.
EX:
A client is valuing being distracted more than she is valuing the stability and physical calm that comes with consistent meal timing.
What is a question to ask one self about your healing journey?
“What game do I want to play when it comes to my commitment to nourish myself every day, several times a day?”
“Would I like to be experiencing the stable energy and pleasure of consistent meals, or the erratic manic panic and anxiety of irregular meals?”
How should we think about our relationship to time?
It’s just another relationship like any other. (To food, our bodies, money, etc.)
Again, you are playing the game you are winning.
“I’m so busy” game
“There’s never enough time” game
What if you could play the game of “I always have time for the most important things in my life no matter how much is going on around me.”
How can a client tackle the game they are playing with time?
They first have to know WHAT is most important to them.
Brainstorm Top 5 priorities in life
This is a good way to discover any other games a client may be playing that they are not aware they are playing, such as honoring other’s priorities before their own.
What is the same as overeating?
Overscheduling. In both cases we are not honoring the truth of our body or soul…the truth of how much we can take in, or digest at once.
It’s not about “making” time. It’s about making a decision.
The truth is that there isn’t time for EVERYTHING, but there is time for the MOST IMPORTANT things.
What’s a challenge for your client to do with Top 5 Priorities exercise handout?
To say NO to anything that is not on their priority list. Notice if there are any feelings of guilt or feeling wrong for saying no and remember that it’s about honoring themselves first so they can give the best version of themselves to others and whatever things they want to be present for.
