Your Body Wants You to Listen Up
We are meant to be happy. We are not meant to be in pain. When our body hurts or is in distress, it is trying to tell us something. Our mind is full of a lifetime of fearful thoughts and limiting beliefs; beliefs we “think” are guiding us to our right life, but it is actually our body doing the steering. (check out Deepak Chopra’s book Ageless Body, Timeliness Mind)
A Pain in My…?
Has there been a time in your life when your body was in pain? Pain is a sign our body is trying to tells us something but we aren’t listening. It is sending us a message that we are doing something against our true selves; it doesn’t like what we are doing and it wants us to change something. I have personally experienced this, and I have seen it with clients.
The wrong job? Spouse? Career choice? It may not be immediate, but don’t worry, the body will let you know it wants you to make a change. It might be a whisper at first, but if you don’t listen, it will shout louder.
Down for the Count
After a very long and snowy winter on the East coast, I was super excited to get outside this summer, be more active and go on my cherished walks, in addition to attending my beloved Bar Method classes. After a few walks a week coupled with a some Bar classes, I was feeling like a rock star, and better than ever! On one particular rock star like day, I took the hardest Bar class, followed by trying the new hottest trend, Soul Cycling. I hadn’t tried cycling in about 15 years and while I had some knee pain at that time, I thought perhaps time healed it and I’d give it a go – after all, the class was free so what the hay, why not. Flash ahead to 3am the next morning when I woke up because the sheet touching my knee cap was hurting my knee. Ya, the sheet.
As I hobbled around the house with my torn meniscus, as a Coach I knew my body was stopping me for a reason and wanted me to do something. But what?
Talking to Ourselves
Often with clients I have them “become the body part” and we talk to it. After a chuckle, they realize I’m serious and they start to settle in and learn from what their body is saying…and they are often amazed. As am I. So I did this to myself and discovered something I knew deep down.
I wanted to write a lot more and work toward a book idea I have, but the sunny days were inspiring me to be more active. I wanted to write and I knew it would make me happy but I was feeling like I had to cram in all of the physical activity I could before the winter came pounding again. I hadn’t mastered the art of walking and writing so the walking won, not the writing. I tried to “cheat” by dictating into my iPhone during walks, but that clearly didn’t cut it. So, my body took me out and all I could do was sit, ice my knee and…write.
So whether it is a pain, anxiety or something else in your body that just doesn’t seem “right,” please take a moment to listen to yourself (and of course see a medical professional!).
Ask Yourself
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to gain insight into what your body is trying to tell you. Be truthful with your answers; not quick and quippy to respond. These questions are to help you. Trying to “trick” your mind and body isn’t going to work. They are on to you.
- What am I resisting?
- What have I been meaning to do?
- When did this pain start?
- What was going on in my life at that time?
- What would I do if I didn’t feel guilty about doing it?
I would love to hear your stories about the lessons your body has taught you. Join me in the Comment area below.
xoxo
Deborah
This post appeared first on Deborah Munies.
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By reading my blog, you acknowledge that I am not a licensed psychologist or health care professional and my services do not replace the care of psychologists or other healthcare professionals. Coaching is in no way to be construed or substituted as psychological counseling or any other type of therapy or medical advice. I will at all times exercise my best professional efforts, skills and care. However, I cannot guarantee the outcome of coaching efforts and/or recommendations on my blog and my comments about the outcome are expressions of opinion only. I cannot make any guarantees other than to deliver the coaching services purchased as described.