Health
Positivity is good. But reality is better By ALICE O’BRIEN
Psychiatric Nurse
“Keep smiling, mind-set is everything, it could be worse, think positive to be positive, keep your chin up” - these are all things we tell ourselves when we feel we need a pick-up. They may also be things people tell us when they want to reassure us, or provide support and a listening ear. Sometimes being positive can cover up reality, can lead us to believe that we can solve any problems that we might have by a simple change of mind-set, leading us to feel deflated when things don’t change. This is because, at times, the problem is exactly that; it’s a problem and it won’t be solved by thinking about positive things. The concept of toxic positivity is an interesting one - the idea of
dismissing negative emotions or distress and replacing them with false positives. When we become uncomfortable with difficult emotions, ignoring them won’t make them go away. Some signs that you are using positivity to cover emotions might include: • Dismissing feelings that are not comfortable for you. • Feeling guilt when you do feel uncomfortable emotions. • Only focusing on the positive aspects of situations. • Hiding or disguising how you really feel.
So how can you change to a more healthy way of thinking and viewing things? You can start to embrace all feeling - positive or negative - because when we suppress emotions, they usually rebound and last much longer. Total optimism can often do more harm than good. Embrace and face all possibilities. Just because you looked at negative outcomes does not mean they will come true. Pain and discomfort are part of everyday life. It is okay to feel down, to feel anxious, or to feel upset. We can feel these things, but we don’t have to stay feeling them. Happiness is not compulsory; you are allowed to feel other things.
You’re Not Being Chased By SIOBHAN O’SULLIVAN SOS Fitness
Yet we eat like we are! Ever time yourself eating a meal? Try it. For the majority, it will be anything between 2-8 minutes to finish a meal. Ideally, we should be looking to spend anywhere between 15-30 minutes eating a meal. Eating slowly can not only improve digestion but can also lead to eating smaller meals and consuming less calories overall. Eating slowly gives your body time to recognise you are full. How many times have you wolfed down a meal and felt beyond stuffed 20 minutes later? The brain can take up to 20 minutes to send messages of satiety once you start
22
eating, so eating slowly can lead to eating less Eating quickly can also cause poor digestion. We don’t tend to chew properly so the food isn’t broken down before it reaches the stomach which can cause digestive stress. Some tips to slow down your eating - Sit at the table for every meal you eat. Focus on the task at hand. Eating on the go leads to eating more calories generally - Take 20-40 chews per bite to ensure your food is fully broken down - Put your knife and fork down between bites
DiscoverDuhallow@irdduhallow.com
- Set a timer and challenge yourself to take 15 minutes to eat your meals to train yourself to eat slower. So slow down and take your time at the table to see better results. For nutrition coaching, check out my website https://sosfitness.ie/ nutrition/
Issue 61 April 8, 2022
