It is said that once you become aware of something, you notice it everywhere. For example, if you are thinking about buying a red Jeep, you will start to see red Jeeps on the road. They were always there; you just didn't notice them. You weren't "aware" of them. This concept is called "The Red Car Theory." Interesting, right?
After reading this post, I bet you'll start to notice people slouching while they eat. I see it everywhere. I see people leaning close over their plates, coming to the food instead of sitting up straight and bringing the food up to them. I notice this at restaurants and when eating with others — both teens and adults.
One may think slouching while eating is not a big deal, but here's why it is. Beyond not looking very nice, slumping can cause health issues and even weight gain. Which no one wants.
Slouching while eating compresses and impedes the digestive system. This can contribute to acid reflux and bloating, and it puts undue stress on the stomach to digest food.
A slouchy posture also leads to eating hurriedly. When someone slouches over their plate, they tend to eat quickly, which leads to overeating. Think about it. If someone is relaxed but sitting up straight, they are more likely to eat slowly. When we eat slowly, we give our stomach enough time to send a signal to the brain when we are satisfied, and we are less likely to overeat. It takes about twenty minutes for the signal to occur, so, so eating slowly helps us eat just the right amount. Plus, we enjoy the food more.
You'll probably start noticing how quickly people eat too.
Sitting up straight while eating also promotes good posture in general, which can prevent back problems.
Now that we are aware, what do we do when we see someone slouching? I tell kids to sit up straight at my table, but they expect "Miss Manners" to pipe up when I see something. Can you tell an adult at a dinner party to sit up straight? It's not an easy answer, but maybe it's worth taking the chance.
If you want to help someone you know become aware, try something like this. When you see slouching, tell a story. You can share that you read this email or you heard that slouching while you eat causes overeating and digestive issues. You can also share why it is important to spend twenty minutes at the table and eat slowly. When you are telling your story, make it fun. Maybe you exaggerate, sitting up straight and saying, "I guess we need to eat like this," in a playful way. Chances are, the culprits will laugh and say, "Oh my gosh, "I'm a sloucher!" and take no offense.
Everyone might get a little silly, exaggerating their posture and saying, "Is this good?" "Should we eat like this?" I have done this with teens at my table, and they always laugh. Bringing in some humor helps us to remember to always sit up straight.
When you see someone slouching, don't be afraid to set them straight, pun intended. You'll raise awareness and spread good health and happiness. Slouching may end up being a fun topic.
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