In the last issue we discussed the course of changing a habit.

"Habit is any action which we perform automatically or routinely. A habit starts with a single thought then it transforms into an action. Repeating that action many times will form a habit. Long term habits become the part of our character and long term effects of our character determine our destiny. Before we know an abnormal action became our comfort zone." - Brian Tracy: Maximum Achievement, Fireside Books, 1995.

A single thought can determine the destiny of our health. As we all catch the little voice in the back of our mind: "Let me just do this one thing one more time, just one last time. It will not hurt me!" Before we know it, we are repeating the action, and it has become a routine. The way we get used to eating our first meal will leave a pattern in us and it may become a habit. If we start early in life leaving the house without breakfast, eating in the car, skipping meals, and gobbling our food, the action will become automatic and THE way to perform that action.

Cutting corners eventually catches up with us and before we know it, our health is being steered into an undesired direction. Concluding the list of Intelligent Eating Habits: Slow down by having the right thought in your head.

Let's look at the benefits to slowing down. Any thought has a mental/emotional effect on our body. Having an upsetting thought and not concentrating on our actions is stressful to our body. Repeating stressful thoughts will interrupt our inside harmony -- "we don't feel good", altering our vital functions, creating digestive problems, constipation, etc. If we don't cope with stress very well, the long-term, altered vital functions can lead to a serious compromise in our health such as cancer. Scary, isn't it? And it can be difficult to believe how stress destroys our body. Our little voice inside may say, "We all have stress in our life. Stress surrounds us all day long." This is why it is important to give a break to our body, to recover between stressful situations. Besides the point of learning to cope with stress, learning NOT to internalize stress is life saving. Asking the question, "Can I really do something about it?" If not, holding stress is destructive and we need to re-focus. Redirecting our attention to another problem we can do something about is constructive or useful stress-there is always a drawer to clean.

What is going on in the body during stress? The adrenal gland is the organ system, which responds to all types of stress (The body reacts exactly the same way regardless of the source of the stimuli-- physical, emotional, environmental or perceived stress. Emotional stress however, is the number one causing factor to alter biochemical responses leading to disease.

Stress response also activates the sympathetic nervous system, the "flight and fight" response, by sending signals to the brain, which will alarm the hormonal system to provide fuel for the body. Stress means instant energy needed for survival. This energy is most efficiently and most readily provided by sugar (glucose) for the body. During stress however, the body does not rely on incoming food for energy. Chronic stress is like starvation for the body. After using up the stored carbohydrate sources (glycogen) the body uses first stored fat then proteins from muscle and enzymes for energy. The adrenal glands, in response to signals from the brain, elevate cortisol production to perform catabolic (breakdown) functions to provide energy for vital organs such as the brain and heart. During stress the body slows down all non-survival functions such as reproduction and digestion.

The first thing you can do to quickly improve your health is to actually pay attention to your eating habits. Lower stress while you eat to avoid fatiguing your adrenals. Use meal times to give your body a break...

Have you ever noticed that a pleasant environment during mealtimes helps you to slow down? Imagine how you would feel sitting at your favorite table at your favorite restaurant - having your favorite meal -described earlier. Now look around. You feel great, because of the color and the pictures on the wall, the perfectly placed plants and flower arrangements surrounding you. Your favorite tune from the piano puts you in total relaxation-of course your cell phone is off - and you allow yourself to breathe - it is just so right to be there.

And you know what? You just stopped eating - because you felt full! Congratulations, you just experienced natural portion control…You heard your body speaking "Stop eating, I am full". When your stomach is full, tiny sensors on the stomach wall start to get unhappy and give the signal to stop. (The stomach was designed to hold about two handfuls of food at a time for efficient digestion and absorption). Now you can sit back and enjoy being full and satisfied.

Until next time, when we discuss the second thing you can do about stress and anxiety: MEASURE IT!