Rush, rush, rushing everywhere is enough to induce driving anxiety in those who may not usually suffer from it, and our rushing doesn’t stop on the road. We rush through work. We rush through play.
We even rush through lunch, dinner and 12 of those granola bars that are supposed to help us cut calories.
Sometimes we don’t even remember what we ate two minutes ago or don’t realize we are eating while stuffing our mouths in front of the TV. Many of us can say we were at least once honestly surprised when that bowl full of popcorn on our lap was suddenly empty for no apparent reason.
Mindless eating is like mindless anything else. It makes you miss out on the small, wonderful moments that make up a largely wonderful life. If you don’t have this moment, after all, you don’t really have anything. Except maybe worry about yesterday, dread concerning tomorrow, an increase in your driving fears, driving anxiety and driving phobias – and perhaps a killer headache.
What Savoring Food Can Do for You
A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association suggests several things eating slowly can do for you. The study involved 30 women who were tested for various factors under two separate conditions: eating slowly and eating quickly. Results determined that the women were more sated after eating slowly, even though they consumed more calories when eating quickly.
That means eating slowly and savoring your food can:
Help you lose weight. Instead of rushing through 12 granola bars and still feeling hungry or lacking, you can savor one and possibly be sated. Zen Habits blogger Leo Babauta says he lost an overall 60 lbs. on what he calls the meditation diet.
“I don’t always practice this, but I often will use eating as a form of meditation. This is the opposite of mindless eating — it’s a way to practice completely mindfulness, focus, awareness of thoughts and emotions, gratitude for the food I’ve been given,” Babuata says.
Let you better enjoy your meal. Savoring your food lets you fully explore the textures and tastes that may have drawn you to the food in the first place. You are also getting rid of the distractions that can often interrupt your meal since your only focus is on the food and the practice of mindful eating.
Allow you to be present in the moment.Practicing mindfulness and being in the moment during any activity helps you be mindful and in the moment in every activity. Once you develop the habit of being fully present while you’re eating, you can expand that habit to be fully present in everything you do. This certainly includes while driving. Being mindful and in the moment while driving can eradicate the driving anxiety and driving fears that are fueled by your driving anxiety of things that are not happening in that moment and may never even happen in the future. Read more about mindfulness in our MBSR post.
Instantly alleviate stress. It’s tough to be stressed when you’re savoring a bowl of popcorn with no other thoughts or concerns but to savor that popcorn. Once again, that same slowing down and paying attention can reduce stress across the board in your life. As a super-duper added bonus, you will never again be surprised to find the popcorn bowl empty with no recollection of eating it.
Next up: Tips on How to Eat Mindfully to Reduce Driving Anxiety
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