The Pleasure Gap: Handling Food Cravings -

Happiness research shows over and over that we are the happiest in the few moments just before the experience we are anticipating.

Savoring The Anticipation

So, what does “savoring” mean exactly?

Savoring = prolonging , extending and lingering in a positive or pleasant feeling.

We are surrounded by tempting foods all day, and very clever marketers who know how to get our attention with their bright shiny packaging. Having a set of strategies on hand to help us deal with this fact can help us navigate very tricky advertising and our own oral fixations.

Try this exercise:

Go to a supermarket and stand in the treat isle.

• Notice the packages, the words on the packages.

• Check into your body. How are you feeling? Excitement? Where? In your belly? Is your mouth watering?

• Choose a food that excites you most.

• Imagine eating it. Feel in to your body. Are you excited? Hungry? Where is it you’re feeling this in your body? Your head? Mouth? Stomach?

• Breathe it in, all of the deliciousness, all of the delight and pleasure.

• Can you name the feelings? Joy? Happiness? Brilliance?

• Fully experience those feelings in your body, allow them to fully exist, make them wider and bigger.

• Ask yourself this question: by experiencing the anticipatory pleasure did I get what I was wanting?

• Walk away without buying, knowing that you have just experienced the fullness of anticipation.

• You are in control and don’t need to always follow through on impulses to receive the goodies. You can do it anywhere to tap into those good feelings.

There will be times when we all choose those delicious foods, but the operative word is ‘choosing’ from a conscious place with a full intention. In a world where many of us have access to an abundance of food, mindful eating exercises can help us maintain a balance between momentary pleasure and genuine nourishment of body and mind. Instead of forcing yourself to slowdown or even count bites, savoring your food automatically slows you down. It is not something we have to do, but something we want to do that makes all the difference.

Next time you notice yourself experiencing something pleasant, slow down and feel into it, what is so pleasant? Connect it with other pleasurable experiences. Why is it good? It is a practice and it takes practice, but anyone can do it.

I invite you to try this exercise and if you feel like dropping me a line let me know how it goes, I would love to hear from you.

Written by Alexandra.
Edited by Deepa