Have You Listened to Your Body Lately?
When was the last time you really listened to your body? It's not a skill that comes naturally to everyone, but it is one that we can learn and it's worthwhile to do that. Our bodies are really good at telling us when something we're doing is right, and also when something we are doing is wrong. If we pay attention to the signals and their patterns, we stand to benefit.
To demonstrate, let me give you some examples from my own experience. Some of these might seem a little out there, but try to roll with me for a minute.
My lower back goes out every time I take on too many responsibilities and push myself to the limit for too long. It starts grumbling at me about a week before the real pain hits. This is my signal to slow down deliberately or I will be forced to slow down because I can no longer pull my pants up by myself (!!!). This is a lesson I have learned by paying attention to the pain and the life patterns that always precipitate it.
If I have a difficult decision to make, I always know I have made the right choice when I feel a warmth in my chest and belly. If it's the wrong choice, I often feel butterflies in my stomach or even sometimes nausea. My gut has never done me wrong in these scenarios, and I have learned to trust it.
If I tear up, I know that whatever I'm reading or listening to strikes a genuine chord, that it matters to me. My pastor always says to "follow the tears." I can tell you that for me they definitely help me figure out what I really care about, but (ahem) also which greeting card is the best choice for my mother's birthday.
The point I'm trying to make here is that our bodies speak to us, not just our brains. Sometimes they can provide us with information that our minds are simply too busy to notice, or that we don't want to notice.
Take some time to cultivate your body awareness today, and it can pay off later. A simple way to do this is simply to make a mental note every once in a while about how you are feeling physically. Pay attention to when certain physical experiences arise and what else is going on in your life when they occur.
You may find some useful patterns in the ways your body talks to you, but first and foremost commit to listening. Your body is wise.