Slow Down and Pay Attention to the Signs

I was biking in southern Minnesota over the weekend, and I saw small signs along the path that said things like "be choosy, drink more water" and "eat healthfully, at home, with your family" and "live balanced" with icons for food/drinks/activity.  In a bagel shop called "Tandem Bagels" there was a biking theme too.  There was lots of encouragement to ride with free maps and portable, healthy snacks.  It made me realize how refreshing it felt to get positive feedback and support (thanks to the Mayo Clinic for supporting some of these signs) to lead a healthy life.  It was my first time in this part of the state, and I was intentionally taking it all in.

Because I was on my bike for a while, I also had time to think about how much we all could benefit from slowing down and paying more attention.  Slowing down leads to destressing.  Slowing down leads to staying in the moment.  Slowing down leads to smarter choices because we have time to consider our options.  Slowing down promotes living in the moment which keeps us grounded.  This can be especially beneficial when eating meals.   Eating well means that we create a dedicated space, away from work, phones, computers and clutter to enjoy our food.  A table with a chair is most ideal! This is most satisfying when we have given our meal some forethought.  We planned something that looks good, smells good, sounds like it should (crisp veggies crunch), and of course tastes good--which is the most important part.  This positive experience can be even more satisfying when we are not in a rush.  Digestion improves when we eat slowly.  Sensing hunger signals and feelings of satiety improve when we slow down long enough to notice.  This can be accomplished by taking time out and away from work and technology to eat and enjoy.  It sounds so old-fashioned.  However, how many of us do this on a regular basis?  How many of us have meals in transit, in the car, at the desk or in between activities?  When we do this, we rob ourselves of a much needed break and a chance to just enjoy satisfying food and maybe some nice conversation with family or friends.

On this same weekend, I stayed at a Marriot Hotel that had a notecard on the bed talking about the importance of getting a good night's sleep.  It included a list of ways to do this...a warm bath, no technology at least an hour before bed, among other suggestions.  Another healthy message reminding me of things my ancestors knew on their own.  Because they didn't have the pressures of technology ramping up their days and nights, they knew how to slow down and calm down.  We have to relearn these lessons in our digital 21st century world.

There are positive messages pointing us in the right direction, if we just slow down long enough to notice.