new habits | Alisa Battaglia

Does this Sound Familiar?

After several rounds of eating your favorite dessert question, “What is causing this to happen’ & “Why do I want this right now?” Pondering these questions en route to the fridge, pantry, special drawer, or better, as you’re entertaining it – will surprise you to learn your answers to these questions.

The key to releasing cravings is to recognize them as they arise. Attention placed on the current emotional state automatically sets up an interruption of the pattern. The interruption is “noticing” the craving. Craving a particular food is an indication that your body already has too much of it. It indicates imbalance in the body, which can lead to food allergy. Sugar, caffeine, carbohydrates, meat, and dairy all affect mood and only lead to health problems in the end so, try not to indulge in negative cravings, as they will always spiral out of control.

Cravings come from the unconscious. They’re patterns that we’re used to and do not think much about because they provide comfort. We all have a need for immediate satisfaction, to seek after the pleasure principle, whose innate response urges us to insulate our true feelings with something – whether with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, shopping, gambling, gaming, or whatever. Whatever one’s delight, it is meant to dissipate physical tension, at least temporarily to soften the edges.

Cravings offer a positive side, too. It’s the way the body sends us messages to maintain balance, to refuel our energy or lift our moods. For instance, the body may require Vitamin C to help heal a cold. Desiring an orange or citrus would be a result of a good craving and positive habit to reach for an orange. Body wisdom is working by sending us messages to maintain balance. Yet, if we ignore these messages for any prolonged period to find equilibrium, the more we get out of control and suffer the negative repercussions of our faulty habits and unresolved emotional cravings.

Learning to listen to the needs of the body is essential, as are the responses we get from eating food that causes symptoms (gas, indigestion, acid reflux, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, skin problems, bad breath, headaches, achy joints, etc). So, whenever the body is craving something, pause for a moment and wonder, “What’s really going on here?” “Is this craving coming from my body or my emotions?”

When we find ourselves impulsively reaching for some food, take a moment to slow down, breathe, and reevaluate the situation and consider what your heart and Soul are really asking for. Remember that the pause alone sets up an interruption to the behavior to overcome the craving. The choice is yours. We may choose to honor our bodies needs with Love or to hop onto the vicious cycle of negative pattern repetition where dissatisfaction, self-loathing, and low esteem await claim.

The point of focus is to look for food imbalances, emotional deficits and behaviors in your life that are often the underlying cause of cravings. Many times what we think are emotional cravings are cravings caused by nutritional imbalances that affect emotion, and vice-versa.

To help move through the emotional impulses and understand the why. I have the tools to help you. Schedule an appointment to bring balance and well-being into your life.