When Your Body Speaks: Learning to Notice Before You React

Have you ever wondered what your body is trying to tell you? Those aches, pains, creaks...those moments when you've been sitting for a while, attempt to get up, and find yourself falling right back onto your bottom. For some of us, we notice, chuckle a little, and push ourselves up into a standing position. For others, we groan, hold onto the chair, and slowly push ourselves up. Whatever our response in that moment, perhaps the more important question is: Are we paying attention to what is happening in our bodies?

Do we notice the tension in our shoulders or legs before they begin to ache? Do we think about changes in our sleep patterns and reflect on the last time we had a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep? What about those days at work when we struggle to focus, become more easily irritated, feel tired, or simply want to withdraw from everyone and everything?

Our bodies are constantly giving us information. The problem is that we don't always notice or perhaps we notice and keep going anyway. Noticing doesn't mean diagnosing. It doesn't mean assuming the worst because something feels different. It simply means becoming curious about what we are experiencing and taking the time to check in with ourselves. So, rather than taking the harsh route and immediately asking, “What's wrong with me?” perhaps we can practice a little more compassion and ask: What changes am I noticing?  Then, with curiosity ask: When does this usually happen? Is there a pattern? And finally, with compassion: What might I need right now?

Maybe we need rest. Maybe we need movement, quiet, connection, a conversation, or a moment to simply breathe. Sometimes, what we notice may tell us that it's time to reach out for additional support. Remember, we cannot change what we are not aware of.  Before we can regulate an emotion, change a response, or make a different choice, we first must recognize what is happening and learn to accept what we notice without immediately judging ourselves for it.

September invited us to RETURN-to come back to ourselves. As we move into October, let’s take that work a little deeper by beginning to NOTICE.  Notice the breath. Notice the tension. Notice the changes in your energy, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Notice what happens before you react. Then ask yourself, with curiosity rather than judgment:

What is my body trying to tell me?

This October, let's practice listening to our bodies.

Pause. Get curious. Listen.

Your body may be telling you something worth noticing.

Fondly,

Dr. C