Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist in Training

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness refers to a state of consciousness that arises when we pay attention. How? Intentionally, with attention directed to what is happening in the present moment and free from judges.

What does it mean to live in a “mindful” way?

Carrying out normal daily gestures consciously is a way to incorporate mindfulness, or the practice of awareness, into the most important activities of our lives, such as brushing our teeth, getting dressed, eating, or going to work.
Although the term mindfulness may evoke a realm exclusively confined to the mind, a fundamental aspect is also the body.

During our days, we are so busy that we hardly have time for ourselves, not even to think, for example, about how to nourish ourselves according to our needs and maintain our bodies in a healthy psychophysical state. We believe we are making choices, yet many of our decisions are automatic and unconscious.

How can we disarm these automatic behaviors?

Mindful Eating is a practice that allows us to learn to observe, to connect with our senses to regain control and choose what we eat by listening to our needs and disarming the “autopilot.”

By eating slowly and listening to our body’s signals, we can fully discover the sense of hunger and satiety and understand the origin of hunger.
Through Mindful Eating, we engage our senses, immersing ourselves in the colors, textures, aromas, flavors, and even sounds of what we drink and eat. In this way, we explore our reactions to food and the internal signals of hunger and satiety with curiosity.

Learning to eat mindfully makes all food seem much tastier and more enjoyable.
We will also find that we can eat much less because we will feel satisfied much sooner.


Giulia Zanchi
Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist in Training