Wellbeing is more than just the absence of illness. It's a holistic state of complete physical, mental and social health, encompassing overall happiness and life satisfaction.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), wellbeing involves thriving in every aspect of life, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasises positive emotions, life satisfaction and fulfillment. This concept also includes emotional stability, physical health, meaningful relationships, and a supportive work environment.
As global incomes rise, happiness levels have paradoxically declined. Enhancing wellbeing is seen as a crucial remedy, directly linked to increasing happiness.
Promoting wellbeing leads to improved mental health, better work-life balance, environmental sustainability, crisis resilience and heightened creativity.
One way to do this is by looking at how we eat.
Zen eating: a pathway to wellbeing.
Zen eating is a mindful eating practice that aligns individuals with nature and their own bodies, transforming the act of eating into a source of joy and connection. This approach has led to significant changes in the lives of those who practise it.
Inspired by Japanese Zen Buddhism, Zen eating is a mindful eating practice. By eating slowly and deliberately, participants can calm their minds, regulate their thoughts and experience relaxation and positivity. Its online programmes have attracted more than 2,100 participants from 30 countries and have been incorporated into corporate team-building and wellness initiatives.
One participant, a busy working professional in the US, struggled with emotional eating and self-criticism. Through Zen eating, she discovered a newfound joy in eating, released years of built-up tension, and learned to appreciate food with all her senses.
Another participant, a working mother in Tokyo, Japan, found that zen eating revitalised her, helping her navigate both personal and professional challenges with a sense of calm and clarity.
These transformations illustrate how Zen eating turns eating from a guilty pleasure into a mindful, joyful experience. By reconnecting with their bodies and senses, people can break free from stress-induced habits and embrace a more balanced, fulfilling life.
How does Zen eating work?
Zen eating fosters a "sense of connectivity"—a crucial aspect of well-being that involves remembering our connection with the earth and the life cycle.
Participants often realise the miraculous nature of life and food, becoming more attuned to their bodies and senses. This practice helps people appreciate the effort behind their meals and the natural processes that sustain them.
Eating is a vital element of wellbeing and Zen eating aims to make eating a joyful, enriching experience. By embracing this practice, individuals can harmonise their mind, body, and soul, participating more fully in the natural world and leading a more fulfilling life.
Participants often report a renewed sense of connection with the Earth and an appreciation for the miracle of life. By focusing on the origins of their food and the sensory experiences of eating, they cultivate a mindfulness that extends beyond the dining table.
Research has dedicated recent years to introducing wellbeing practices inspired by Buddhism, particularly through Zen eating. This programme, experienced by thousands of people worldwide, offers a way to incorporate meditation into daily life through mindful eating.
Studies believe that wellbeing is about aligning the mind, body, and soul, and fostering a connection with others and the planet. Zen eating is a simple, effective way to achieve this alignment, promoting a deeper sense of joy and connection in everyday life.
Zen eating is more than just a mindful eating practice - it's a pathway to holistic well-being. By reconnecting with nature, savouring each bite, and appreciating the miracle of life, individuals can experience greater joy, fulfilment, and harmony. This approach to well-being is profoundly holistic, rooted in the belief that true happiness comes from aligning with the natural world and embracing the joy of being connected.
Simple steps to practise Zen eating:
Keep your smartphone out of sight and silent: Avoid distractions by placing your phone where you can't see it and setting it to silent mode.
Smell before you sip: Take a moment to inhale the aroma of your drink before tasting it, engaging your sense of smell to enhance the experience.
Put down your cutlery while chewing: Set down your utensils while you chew to focus on the current bite rather than the next, making the meal more mindful and enjoyable.
Momoe Saito is a researcher at Chuo University, Japan and has delivered wellbeing lectures at Harvard University, Imperial College London and Indian Institutes of Technology. An awardee of Forbes NEXT 100 and BW Wellbeing 40 Under 40, Momoe is also the author of "Zen Eating: A Japanese Mindfulness Practice for Well-Being & True Fulfilment".
