A Note From Dr. Pam
My husband, Dan, loves to cook. He actually prefers it — and I’m perfectly fine with that, because while I can cook, it’s not my favorite thing to do. On nights when I work later and Dan’s already home from work making dinner, I walk into the house to the wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. Right then and there, my body starts preparing for the meal ahead.
That’s digestion beginning in the brain. The moment we see, smell, or even think about food, the brain starts signaling the stomach, pancreas, liver, and intestines to get ready. Saliva increases, enzymes wake up, and the body prepares to receive what’s coming.
Research shows this process works best when we’re calm and present. When the body is relaxed, the “rest and digest” response activates and digestion flows more smoothly. But when we eat while distracted or under stress, those brain-to-body signals weaken. Food can sit longer, enzymes slow down, and fewer nutrients are absorbed. Over time, that difference shows up in how we feel after meals — light and nourished or heavy and sluggish.
That’s why Dan and I make a point to slow down together at the end of the day. We’ll often turn on one of our favorite Pandora stations like Norah Jones, talk about the day, and let the rhythm of the music help us unwind before dinner. It’s a simple ritual, but it helps both mind and body slow down so digestion can do its job.
A Moment of Reflection
When was the last time you ate without multitasking or rushing? What might change if you gave your body a calm start before every meal?
Try This
Before your next meal, pause for sixty seconds. Take two slow inhales and one long exhale to shift your body into “rest and digest” mode. Put your phone face down, feel your breath settle, and then take your first bite. Notice how your body responds when you begin from a place of calm.