Too often one of the effects of diet culture can be a warped relationship with hunger. Here's another way to think of hunger. This interesting concept was shared by Jenny Eden Berk and I thought it worth sharing. (Obviously, this refers not to those living in dire circumstances causing near constant hunger, but to the hunger of those blessed with access to sufficient food.)
Being hungry is exactly like being curious...which is a good thing.
Physical hunger is a powerful driving force, right? When you’re extremely hungry it’s almost all you can focus on. When you’re even mildly hungry and delicious smells come wafting out from the kitchen or from a restaurant, you want what they have to offer so you seek it out, right?
Well, guess what? Researchers have been conducting tests and looking at the brain scans of hungry people, as well as people curious about how things work . . . and curiosity appears to be driven by the same neurobiological process as physical hunger.
In other words, they say that curiosity fuels a physiological wanting or craving, similar to hunger.
And guess what, else? This hunger for knowledge/understanding . . . this curiosity you probably have about all sorts of things (new information that doesn’t match your world view, new sensations/feelings, personal development, eating healthier, writing your first novel, etc.) . . . is actually really, really good for you.
Curiosity has been linked to:
Fewer decision-making errors.
More-open communication and better team performance at work.
Reduced conflict in groups where people practice curiosity.
But, it’s also been linked to more:
Happiness
Creativity
Academic achievement
Satisfying intimate relationships
Increased personal growth after traumatic experiences
And even an increased sense of meaning in life
If you think about it, curiosity is likely the driving force behind your interest in making healthier lifestyle choices for yourself, right?
What are my options?
Will your new lifestyle and food choices reduce my pain?
Will it be difficult to transition & maintain . . . or surprisingly easy?
What will your favorite meals be?
Will you simply feel better on a day-to-day basis?
Is it worth it to try?
Your curiosity is a good thing . . . a great thing even if we believe the psychologists, scientists, and other researchers looking into it.
It will (hopefully!) lead you to fewer decision-making errors, better communication with others, increased happiness, answers to your questions above, and make better planning decisions in general.
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If our thoughts and feelings about hunger are clouded, viewing hunger as a form of curiosity can help us find a healthy view of it. Letting feelings of hunger inspire us to question things like what type of nourishment our body needs in that moment or what may be prompting that hunger (need for food? stress? anger? excitement? etc.) can lead to an appreciation for hunger as the helpful tool it is.
So, next time you're hungry, #becurious.
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