How To Deal With Cravings

Summary

In this video, Cam discusses how to manage cravings, drawing on insights from his friend Oscar, a Chinese doctor. He emphasizes that cravings are a matter of momentum and can be managed by understanding their nature and using specific practices. Cam shares a three-step method to shift emotions associated with cravings, which includes acknowledging the craving, being indifferent to it, and taking positive action. He compares cravings to a breakup, suggesting that they will diminish over time with persistence. He also recommends meditation to build mindfulness and offers a list of 60 hobby ideas to help viewers find new interests.

Takeaways

• 🏖 Cam is in Vancouver, BC, and plans to stay for about a week, enjoying the beach and sharing insights on cravings.
• 🧘 Oscar, a Chinese doctor and friend of Cam, taught him that cravings are about momentum and understanding this perspective can empower individuals to manage them better.
• 🎮 Cravings can emerge suddenly, similar to the difficulty of quitting video games, where nostalgia and missing the activity can trigger cravings.
• 🚀 To manage cravings, it's important to stay proactive by embracing new hobbies and focusing on new goals, which can reduce the intensity of cravings.
• 🤔 Understanding that cravings can come out of nowhere is crucial, and having tools and practices to manage them when they arise is essential.
• 🔄 Cam suggests a three-step practice he learned in 2006 to shift any emotion, including cravings, which involves acknowledging, being indifferent, and taking positive action.
• 👍 Acknowledging cravings without resistance can reduce their power, as what you resist tends to persist.
• 🤷‍♂️ Being indifferent to cravings, accepting their presence without being overwhelmed, is the second step in the process of shifting emotions.
• 🏋️‍♀️ The third step is to take a positive action to move forward, such as engaging in physical activity, which can help shift one's emotional state.
• 💔 Cravings are likened to a breakup, where the intensity of thoughts and feelings lessens over time, and it's important not to be surprised by their occurrence.
• ⏳ Focusing on one hour at a time and finding activities to engage in can help manage cravings, as they tend to fade with consistent effort over time.
• 🧘‍♂️ Meditation is recommended as a tool to build mindfulness and the ability to identify and manage cravings without being overwhelmed.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is understanding and dealing with cravings, particularly in the context of quitting video games.

Who taught the speaker about cravings being a matter of momentum?

The speaker's friend Oscar, who is a Chinese doctor, taught him about cravings being a matter of momentum.

According to the speaker, why do cravings often come out of nowhere?

Cravings often come out of nowhere because they are related to the momentum of our habits and can be triggered by nostalgia or a shift in our routine.

What is the first step in dealing with cravings as suggested by the speaker?

The first step in dealing with cravings is to acknowledge them without resistance, recognizing them as a natural occurrence.

What does the speaker suggest as the second step to shift away from cravings?

The second step is to be indifferent to the craving, not giving it power or control over your emotions.

What is the third step in the speaker's method for shifting emotions related to cravings?

The third step is to take a positive action that moves you towards the emotion or state you want to achieve, which helps in building momentum in a positive direction.

How does the speaker relate cravings to a breakup?

The speaker relates cravings to a breakup by explaining that just like after a breakup, where thoughts of an ex-partner may be constant, cravings can also be persistent but will lessen over time.

What is the speaker's advice for dealing with cravings when they become overwhelming?

The speaker advises focusing one hour at a time and finding an activity to engage in during that hour to help shift focus away from the craving.

Why does the speaker recommend meditation for dealing with cravings?

Meditation is recommended because it helps build mindfulness and the ability to identify cravings without being overwhelmed by them.

What resource did the speaker create to help people find new hobbies and activities?

The speaker created a list of over 60 hobby ideas, categorized based on different needs, which is linked in the video description.

How can viewers access the list of hobby ideas mentioned in the video?

Viewers can access the list of hobby ideas by clicking on the link provided in the video description.