Uncategorized
From Jackie with love
Published
10 years agoon
Deconstructing cravings
By Jackie Rainford Corcoran
Explore Big Sky Contributor
What do you crave? Sugar, caffeine, alcohol? Indulging in any of these can provide a quick fix to feel at ease, engaged or excited. They light up the “reward centers” in the brain by releasing dopamine, according to Dr. Robert Cloninger, a geneticist and psychiatrist noted for his research on mental health. It only makes sense that we use food, drugs and other means to combat the stress we feel through out the day.
But if your cravings leave you plagued by a sense of powerlessness and frustration, I have good news: It doesn’t have to be that way.
It starts with creating a paradigm shift around cravings. Instead of calling them bad, call them useful information or clues to what’s going on in your mind, body and environment. They are your brain’s way of telling you that something in your life is out of balance. What you crave is not the problem, but instead, the answer to a problem.
For example, suppose it’s 4 p.m. on Monday and I have a strong craving for sugar and caffeine. I ask myself, “Why?” “What information are these cravings giving me?”
My answers: After a long weekend, I’m tired. I ate lunch four hours ago, and I’m hungry. My day was stressful, and I’m grumpy. The sugar and caffeine are not the problem; instead they’re obvious and easy answers to my problem. They’ll give me an emotional pick-me-up, suppress my appetite and provide a burst of energy.
But here’s the rub: They’re temporary fixes that will leave me worse off than I was.
Drinking caffeine at 4 p.m. will disrupt my sleep, creating a new level of tiredness and grumpiness tomorrow. Eating sugar to fuel my body is like putting a nearly dead battery in my headlamp before a camping trip – it offers a flickering promise of light and then dies out just when I need it most.
After deconstructing this craving, I realize that sugar and caffeine are not good solutions to my problem. In fact, they are detrimental. What my body and mind really need at this time of day is nutritious whole food and hydration. So what should I do? How do I get quick convenient energy and create the dopamine release my brain is seeking?
Instead of a caffeinated, sugary or diet drink, I’ll start by enjoying a tall glass of cold lemon water, along with an affirmation like, “Yummm, this water is so refreshing.” (For more on this, check out “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water” by Dr. F. Batmaghelidj ). Then, I will snack on foods like almonds, avocados, bananas, dairy or pumpkin seeds that help my body make and release dopamine. This will take the edge off of my hunger and cranky mood and give me the energy I need until I can sit down for dinner.
The next time you have a craving, get curious and consider it an opportunity to learn more about yourself and your lifestyle. Take a moment to ask yourself, “Why am I craving this?” Do you need nutrition, hydration, a nap, self-love, a hug, entertainment, movement or a reward? Once you find your answers, it opens up new, more sustainable ways that you can meet your own needs, leaving you feeling rejuvenated, empowered and satisfied.
Jackie Rainford Corcoran is an IIN Certified Holistic Health Coach, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, a public speaker and health activist. To discuss your cravings, health or lifestyle, contact her at jackie@thetahealth.com to schedule a complimentary 50-minute health coaching session, or visit her website ThetaHealth.Org to learn more.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
july, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 - July 31Calling all artists and nature enthusiasts! Get
more
Event Details
CALL FOR ARTISTS: Paint anytime from June 1-28
EXHIBITION & SALE: June 29 – July 31
Calling all artists and nature
enthusiasts! Get your paintbrushes ready for an unforgettable experience at
Paint Under the Big Sky, a thrilling plein air event set against the stunning
backdrop of Big Sky, MT, Chet Huntley’s “The Last Best Place”. Don’t
miss this chance to unleash your creativity and be part of a vibrant artistic community.
What is Paint Under the Big Sky? PUBS is a plein air event for all painters of any ability (over the age of 16). Sponsored by the Big Sky Artist’s Studio & Gallery and the Big Sky Artists Collective, a non-profit organization whose mission is to foster a strong community of artists in the Big Sky area, the paint-out hopes to introduce painters to our extraordinary landscape for an opportunity to create, meet and have fun. Plein air painters record our landscape for generations to come.
Artists are invited to travel to Big
Sky, MT to paint anytime between Jun 1 – 28, and participate in the exhibition
and sale of paintings from June 29 – July 31.
Come join us! We have a great
place to paint and are welcoming and fun!
Don’t miss out!
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 1:00 am - July 31 (Wednesday) 11:55 pm
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice
Event Details
Embrace the freedom and
serenity of movement in nature with our rejuvenating morning yoga class on the
Mountain Lawn. Allow the fresh mountain air and gentle guided yoga practice to
invigorate your day of adventure ahead. Complimentary. Weather
permitting.
Time
June 1 (Saturday) 7:00 am - August 31 (Saturday) 7:00 am
Location
Montage Big Sky
995 Settlement Trail
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 10 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 19 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
June 17 (Monday) 6:00 pm - August 26 (Monday) 6:00 pm