Guideline 1: Get in Touch With and Listen to Your Body

As promised (yes, I know it was a long time ago), I am expanding on the individual “rules” I presented in an early post. Now, you may be thinking, “Oh, here she goes, getting all ‘new age-y’ on me, talking about listening to my body,” but listening to and understanding your body is very important for several reasons. Your body, if you listen to it, will let you know what its true abilities and limits are, not those you impose upon it. It will also let you know if something is wrong, if you truly have an injury, need more or less food, or are ill. Become friends with your body, as you are going to be together for quite a while.

How can you get in touch with and listen to your body? There are several things that can help you, but the main thing one needs to do is become more aware. Here are some helpful techniques:

1) Mind-body exercise: Yoga and Pilates, as well as many other forms of exercise, fall into the category of mind-body exercise. With these exercises, one must be connected physically and mentally with movement. Focus is placed on correct positioning of the body, breathing, and sensations within your body. Start slowly if you have never done such work before. You don’t have to be perfect in your practice of mind-body exercises; do your best and focus on how you feel while doing the exercises.

2) Focus often on your body: How does your body feel in this very moment? Are you pulling in your stomach? How is your posture? Are you comfortable? Ask yourself these questions while you work, walk, watch TV, read this blog, etc., to be more conscious of your body and how your hold your body.

3) Focus on your breathing: At any time of the day, and several times a day, you should note how you are breathing. Are you taking deep breaths, exhaling completely, and using your diaphragm? Focusing on your breathing can have several effects, including giving you energy, relaxing you, and increasing your endurance during exercise.

4) Listen to your tummy: When you are eating, or wanting to eat, ask yourself if you are hungry or satiated. By understanding when you are really hungry, you will avoid eating because you are bored, sad, happy, or simply because there is food in front of you. This will not only help you have a healthier relationship with your body; it will also help you have a healthier relationship with food.

5) Consider what your body is trying to tell you: Are you feeling pain? If so, what kind of pain is it? Is it the pain of working hard, or is it the pain of serious injury? In other words, do you need to stop what you are doing, or are you giving in to a simple, muscular pain? Be honest. Are you feeling tired? If so, did you have a stressful day, are you sleeping too little, or do you have an imbalance (due to illness, vitamin deficiency, etc.) in your body? Remember, movement – even just a light walk – can give you energy when you think you are tired after a long day at work, so be completely honest with yourself. Proper diet and exercise can help you conquer tiredness, but you need to listen to your body and understand what it is trying to tell you. See your doctor if pain or tiredness seems serious and/or consistent.

Getting in touch with and listening to your body can help you in your quest to become healthier. This week, try one or more of these techniques every day. Become more aware of your body, and make a conscious effort to understand and respect what it can do. In the comments, tell me what you are doing to get in touch with and listen to your body.