Close your eyes and ask yourself “What do I need in this moment?” (It may not be the craving you were thinking about.) I was recently feeling restless and couldn’t figure out why my mood was sour. A part of me felt that this was a luxury, but I decided to take my own advice. Just asking yourself this question is an act of self-love.
Light a candle if that helps you make this feel like an important ritual. Sit in a comfortable chair and let the answer come to you. You may hear your inner wisdom tell you that you are thirsty or you need a nap. You may realize you are feeling strong emotions that need an outlet. You may need to go and take a walk outside because you’ve been stuck indoors all day. Giving yourself the gift of listening to yourself will help you know how to manage impulsiveness and old habits. You will feel more empowered around your relationship with food, with time, and with your body.
If you practice asking yourself this deep question several times a day, you will be able to react under pressure and take better care of yourself. You will become highly attuned to who you really are and what you truly need at a deep level. If the answer is still the treat you’ve been thinking about, at least you took a moment to pause and consciously make the decision.