When it comes to some of the common activities that we engage in throughout the day, like driving and eating for example, quite often our mind isn't focused on the activity that we are engaged in at the moment.

Instead of focusing on the task that we are presently engaged in, our mind drifts off and we start to ponder a variety of other topics; yet we are still able to successfully carry out the task we're engaged in.

For much of the time, we go through life as if we were on autopilot, because we aren't actively aware and thinking about what we are doing in the moment. Researchers have suggested that perhaps more than 46 percent of the time, we are engaged in mind wandering and not focused on the task that is at hand.

For many of us, we consume a great deal of our meals either on the go or sitting down in front of the television or computer, and we will often be focused on other tasks rather than focusing on the activity of eating.

Researchers suggest that be redirecting our focus back to the activity of eating, away from mindless eating and toward engaging in mindful eating, that it can empower people by enabling them to make better and more conscious decisions about what they eat and how much of it they are eating.

A variety of studies have been conducted which have sought to shed some light on the prevalence of 'mindless eating' that many of us engage in and results suggest that what we see plays a big part in the experience; if we don't see how much we've eaten then our brain might not register that we're full.

For example,..

going to the movies is a very common opportunity were most people are going to overeat. One previous study in this area found that when participants (who were attending a movie) had been given bigger buckets for their popcorn, that they were likely going to eat more.

Even if that popcorn was stale, about 2 weeks old, they were still found to eat more.

If you go out for wings and the bones are taken away from the table, researchers have found that people will likely eat 34 percent more chicken wings. When the bones are left on the table, it's a visual reminder to the people about how much they have already eaten; so they're less likely to eat more because they underestimate how much they've already consumed.

And researchers have found that it isn't only when we go to the movies or when we go out with friends for wing night that we are going to be engaged in overeating or 'mindless eating'. We also tend to do it when we are watching something while we eat, or reading something, talking to our loved ones or friends, etc.

Mindful eating exercises have sprung up in a number of communities, where many people are trying to rededicate their focus to engaging in the task at hand and being fully aware of just what and how much they are eating; when they are eating it.

Mindfulness eating exercises try to help people bring their focus back to the food rather than wandering off to a myriad of other topics and activities.

Studies have found that when engaging in mindful eating that people will sometimes be less likely to overeat. It's no surprise then that this eating method has also been suggested to help boost weight loss success and provide better overall health. Many who have been engaged in this eating practice have insisted that it prompts them to make better food choices for themselves rather than engaging in their typical binge eating behavior.

Some tips for mindful eating have been suggestions like taking the time to pause and breathe while enjoying your meal, focus on the smell and the taste of the food, and remove any distractions when you are eating.

banner thanks to @son-of-satire

Pics:
Pixabay
South Park via Giphy
Lebro’s via stepoutbuffalo.com/buffalo-born-classic-on-a-budget-wing-nights-in-wny/
Pinterest via pinterest.com/vikki52500/simpsons/?lp=true

The information that is posted above is not intended or implied to ever be used as any substitute for professional medical advice, or diagnosis or treatment. The above is posted for informational purposes only.

Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/09/26/families-eat-together-tv-eating-habits-brits_n_5886398.html
http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/diet/5-mindful-eating-practices-that-will-transform-the-way-you-eat-11364201837151
http://calgaryherald.com/health/diet-fitness/mindful-eating-for-health-and-meal-satisfaction
https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/mindfulness-eating-pays-body-big-dividends
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/your-brain-work/201011/new-study-shows-humans-are-autopilot-nearly-half-the-time

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