Three Steps to Mindfully Navigate Cravings

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]