Trina Swerdlow

Even though we may be sophisticated cologne wearers, credit card carriers, and clutchers of stylish purses (or “man bags” if you’re a guy), let’s face it—we’re still animals at heart.

For this reason, I often refer to instinctual “animal behaviors” in my work with clients. For example, I see a lot of stressed-out souls seeking tools to stop unhealthy overeating and experience more calm in their minds and bodies.
Early in my work with stressed clients, I educate them about the fight-flight-freeze responses. Fighting, fleeing, and freezing are natural reactions to stress that animals exhibit when their survival is threatened. And, since we’ve already established (perhaps hesitantly) that we’re animals too—it’s natural for our brains to choose one of these instinctual “survival behaviors,” when we’re feeling overwhelmed, afraid, angry, or sad.

For example, doesn’t it make sense that while trying to keep up with the pace of life around us, we might not make time to address (or process) our emotions? Let’s face it; answering cell phone calls, texts, faxes, and emails can become a full time job! As a result, when feeling overwhelmed with the crazy demands of our stressful work and home lives, many of us unconsciously turn to “instinctual responses” and we:

• Fight: by angrily “acting out” our emotions and creating drama with others
• Flee: by distracting ourselves from our emotions and staying in our heads
• Freeze: by tensing our bodies, breathing shallowly, and suppressing our emotions

Then, with emotions lodged uncomfortably inside our bellies, many of us turn to food for comfort. Now, this brings me to another important “instinctual issue” that I want to address here: Our hunting and gathering—”foraging instincts.”

If we think back to early men and women, we’ll probably remember that they received their foods by “foraging” for them. Their food foraging efforts took time, energy, and they burned calories in the process (they also got off “their sofas” and out of their caves for fresh air and sunshine).

Now, for some of us, our evening “foraging behaviors” consist of sashaying into our kitchens while American Idol or Dancing with the Stars—is on a commercial break. Next, some of us savor a brief “Yoga stretch” while reaching into an upper cabinet to retrieve our snack foods.

Similarly, our daytime “foraging behaviors” aren’t burning much energy either—that is if we’re simply pushing a grocery cart from section to section and casually “picking our crops” out of damp bins.

Now, if we look to the animal world again, we’ll see that “foraging behaviors” are passed on from generation to generation, by watching peers and elders forage for food. In other words, the younger members learn what’s appropriate and safe to eat by observing the foraging behaviors of their elders.

In the wild, this strategy works beautifully. For example, a baby animal watches its parents gather safe, non-poisonous foods. As a result, the baby animal learns how to survive and thrive on its own.

You probably see where I’m going with this. Sadly, in today’s world, many children are watching others eat massive amounts of overly processed, salty, sugary, fattening, and addictive junk foods via the media—as well as in real time—from their parents, caregivers, and peers. Whew! For this reason, it’s no surprise that we have an escalating obesity epidemic amongst children and adults in America.

So, how can we counter “foraging instincts” that have—GONE WILD? Here are four “starter tips” to consider:

• Walk, Walk, Walk. Whenever possible, walk to your local grocery store, or a nearby Farmers’ Market to “forage for food.” (Purchasing a folding shopping cart can be a great way “to roll” — I love mine!) And, if you have kids, bring them along for a “food foraging” or local “errand running” adventure.
•   Plant Something Edible. Planting a veggie garden is great if you have a yard. And, a few pots of edible plants will also suffice if you live in an apartment or a condo. For example, I grow cilantro for salsa and Moroccan mint for tea—in pots on my patio. Num! And, did you know that banana mint and pineapple mint plants are also available? Yep, pretty exotic flavors! To get started planting, visit ALIVE’s horticulture expert—Buzz Bertolero—at his informative website: www.dirtgardener.com
• Take a “TV Fast.” Several times a week, turn off the television and the “over-snacking” that often accompanies TV time. Instead, get outside for activities such as walking, hiking, swimming, or playing sports. In addition, consider taking an exercise class—like Yoga, water aerobics, or Zumba. And, when you do watch a favorite television program, lifting hand weights during a couple of commercial breaks and then riding a stationary bike can be great ways to burn calories and avoid “sashaying” into the kitchen for unhealthy snacks.*   * Always talk to your doctor before changing your exercise routine.
• Create Indoor Fun. Play board games, read a good book (to yourself or aloud to loved ones), or indulge in a relaxing activity, such as knitting, quilting, or painting.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for one-to-one emotional support (and leading edge tools) to break unhealthy patterns in your life, lose weight, or handle stress better, then don’t hesitate to call me and set up an appointment.
Finally, how about we all take a small step today and reel in one of our “foraging instincts” that has GONE WILD? By doing so, we’ll begin replacing unproductive habits with healthy habits that will propel our energy levels to full throttle!
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Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal: Meditate and Journal Your Way to Better Health. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. She soulfully shares her creative approach to personal growth and passionately supports her clients in reaching their goals. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychothera