Do not ignore or shove aside your cravings. They might be trying to tell you something! Instead, here are three steps to mindfully navigating cravings:
1. Acknowledge the craving. Acknowledge it and give it space. Sometimes the acknowledgment and fulfillment of a craving can be more productive than actively trying to avoid it. It also may lessen simply by acknowledging it.
2. Explore the origin of your craving with non-judgmental curiosity. Ask yourself: is it occurring alongside an emotion or physical feeling? Is it tied to a habit? Is it guiding me toward a food that would support my health/well-being? Am I tired or stressed?
3. Proceed from a place of empowerment. Once you’ve identified the origin, give yourself permission to dis-identify with it and determine how to proceed in a way that’s best for you.
Cravings are nothing to fear or be ashamed of. Think of them instead as a yardstick to determine if things are out of balance!
[SOURCE Inspiration: IIN, NCBI]