Our autonomic nervous system controls many unconscious bodily functions such as heart-rate, breathing and digestion. It can either be in the 'fight or flight' mode, ready for a tiger attack, or in the 'rest and repair' mode when digestion, detoxification and cell repair take place.
Digestion is suppressed in the 'fight or flight' mode so it is therefore important to be relaxed when you eat. When relaxed your digestive processes aren't inhibited, allowing complete digestion, and your brain can register when you're full, which is why you may keep eating without feeling satisfied when stressed.
With busy city jobs it's easy to shovel down your lunch whilst emailing, listening to a conference call or thinking about all the work you have to do. All of this means you're unlikely to be relaxed. To keep your digestion running properly and to get the most out of your food you need to snap out of this mode, and the best way to do this is through conscious breathing.
This is the easiest form of meditation and can be done anywhere. It basically involves taking slow, deep breaths whilst emptying your mind of thoughts. But worry not, you don't have to spend 15 minutes sat at your desk in lotus position!
Just five deep breaths can make all the difference. Breath in slowly and deeply letting your belly and rib cage expand. Count to three as you breathe in, then breathe out, again counting to three to keep the two breaths the same length. Keep your mind clear other than counting and enjoy these few moments of peace. Keep a still mind whilst you savour your lunch, and then when you're finished you can go back to work mode.
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