When your body is in fight or flight mode (sympathetic nervous system), it cannot rest and digest (parasympathetic nervous system).
As nice as “sympathetic” sounds, that’s not the mode you want to be in when you’re eating.
But don’t just take my word for it. If you feel like you’re hearing this whole “slow down and enjoy the chew” thing more and more lately, it’s for good reason. We need a certain amount of stress to survive, sure; but we are not designed to be in this heightened state of survival at all times. Over the long term, this takes a toll not just on us mentally and emotionally. It also hinders our ability to sleep well, lose weight, and build muscle. And lets be serious, most of us are trying to do that.
If the pursuit of health causes more stress, RELAX. Find what makes you happy and start there; then see what foods you’re called to eat and activities you crave.
Already working on this? Swell! Tell us about it, please! 🙂
Sarah Plummer Taylor is an established leader in the field of resilience building and holistic wellness. She teaches veterans, busy professionals, students, and entrepreneurs how to find clarity and build stronger, healthier lives.
A U.S. Marine veteran who deployed twice to Iraq, Sarah is the author of Just Roll With It: 7 Battle Tested Truths for Creating a Resilient Life. She is also the founder of SEMPER Sarah®, a national wellness practice.
Sarah holds a Master’s in Social Work with a Mental Health concentration from the University of Denver and a Bachelor’s in Sociology from the University of Virginia. She was an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Education and Promotion at Charleston Southern University until 2019.
Sarah is also a registered yoga teacher ERYT200/RYT500, who teaches vinyasa, yin, restorative, and trauma-informed adaptive yoga classes in addition to retreats and workshops.
Her work has been featured on Capitol Hill and in noteworthy news and entertainment outlets like the Katie Couric Show, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, MSNBC, and others.
In addition to speaking, leading workshops, and providing individual and couple’s counseling and coaching through SEMPER Sarah®, Sarah gives back to organizations like Veterans of Foreign Wars, Team Red White & Blue, The Give Back Yoga Foundation, Comeback Yoga, and the Women Marines Association.
Sarah lives in North Carolina with her husband, their two daughters, and dog.
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