I have spent a lot of time discussing the freedom from dieting that intuitive eating can provide.  That certainly is the beauty of being mindful.  But one principle that people sometimes struggle with is “Respecting Your Fullness.”  This principle involves really tuning in while you’re eating, and being able to recognize when you have had enough and no longer need to keep eating.

As you may have found out in your own eating, consuming food past the point of fullness can make you uncomfortable, sick or lead to feelings of guilt.  These feelings can lead you to skipping your next meal or snack, thus beginning an overeating/starving cycle that messes with your metabolism.  By paying attention while you’re eating, you can break free of this cycle and feel good about what you are eating.

The idea behind this principle can also be applied to things in life other than eating mindfully.  I’m sure many of you feel overextended due to juggling family, a job, a household and anything else that may come up in a day.  Think of overextending yourself as something similar to overeating.  Just like I want you to respect your fullness, I want you to respect your fullness of schedule as well.  Sometimes taking on too much can take you away from the really important aspects of your life and self-care.  Knowing when to say no to certain things is analogous to knowing when you are full from a meal.

Though our country is all about excess, scaling back and respecting your limitations is just as important as trying to achieve the impossible ideal of “doing it all.”  Respect your fullness, respect your time, and respect that you are only capable of so much.  Do what you can handle well and you will feel much better during your day to day life.

The next time someone asks you to do something and you really can’t fit it in, say the following, “I wish I could, but I can’t.”  No need for reasons or excuses.

Your turn to take action:  Do you have a hard time saying “no” to people?