Your Body is Talking – Are you Listening?
By now we all certainly know about the importance of diet and exercise for optimal physical health.
But have you ever considered the impact our mindset has on our body and overall health?
Recently I’ve been face to face with this question. My personal circumstances have forced me to really look at the mind/body connection.
I’ve come to learn that middle age is a mirror.
And for many, we do not like the reflection. We may even get mad at it. Or think that our body is retaliating.
But whatever is showing up is actually feedback just for us. It’s a gift. It gives us the opportunity to listen so we can make the necessary changes.
Your body is not bad. It’s neutral. It just reflects back to us what we put in it: physically, emotionally, and energetically.
For many, once we enter midlife we experience life differently. What used to work before no longer does. Our bodies have different needs, so we must adapt.
Some of us do this with grace. Some come kicking and screaming.
I came kicking and screaming. My mid years have brought me an autoimmune disease (Hashimotos) and hypothyroidism along with hormone imbalances galore.
I feel like I’m living in someone else’s body.
It’s frustrating. It’s sometimes debilitating. But it can be overcome.
“The ultimate solution to any problem lies within your thinking, because what happens in your mind determines your experience of life.”
~ Marianne Williamson
If you look at solutions to disease, sickness, aging, and longevity, you will almost definitely come across the following regime:
- Eat a clean diet of lean proteins, vegetables and fruit. Limiting alcohol and sugars. And eliminating processed foods, sodas, sweets.
- Walking 30 minutes each day. Or better yet, add in strength training 2-3x per week and daily stretching.
- Drink a lot of water. (½ your weight in ounces)
- Get 8 hours of sleep.
- Wake up at the same time each morning; bed at same time each night.
- Practice self care, positive mindset, and stress management.
Every single one of these items are necessary for good health. In total, they are your solution to the problems that challenge you.
But today we’re focusing on our mindset. I think many of us overlook the importance of it and the far reaching impact it has in your life.
“Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world.” ~Deepak Chopra
Consider that for a minute.
What is consuming your thoughts? What keeps you up at night? What brings you anxiety, depression or worry?
This is what needs your attention and focus. Because when you clear that, you will impact your ‘outer world’: what your life looks and feels like.
Yes…diet, exercise, etc need to be in a healthy place too. But set time aside to center your mind. To feed it with the nourishment it needs: meditation, prayer, positive affirmations, motivational reading, or inspirational quotes.
When I was in my early 30’s, I had a strange accident happen. I woke up at 5:30am and jerked up in bed. That action caused me to pull out my neck. And unfortunately, it hit a nerve that temporarily took out my eyesight.
I lived alone at the time. I was in Los Angeles. And I vividly remember palming my way from my bedroom to my apartment front door, knowing I needed to unlock the door before calling an ambulance.
It was a frightening moment. And for weeks after the event, I experienced PTSD as a result. I would work myself into a panic attack each time my neck had a twinge.
During this time, going to bed was a horrifying experience. That is, until I read the back cover of Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection by Dr. John E. Sarno. Howard Stern credits the book for curing his back pain. And after reading that back cover, it cured mine too.
I learned that I could control the outcome by calming my mind/thoughts. So when I had an episode, I would get out of bed, sit on the couch, breathe and tell myself that nothing was wrong.
I walked myself off the edge.
And you know something? It totally worked. I did it night after night and before long, I didn’t need to do it at all.
The mind is a powerful tool.
It can help you in every area of your life. No joke. Every single one. So no matter what challenges you, start with your mindset.
This is why I’m a stickler for creating a morning routine. It sets you up for success every single day. [Download EP Mornings here] .
If you are struggling with physical issues of sickness, disease or challenges, please give some attention to your mindset. Consistency is key – not how long you do it or when.
Listen to your body. It will guide you. It knows how to heal itself. Sometimes we just need to get out of the way.
💡Have you experienced your body trying to tell you something? Hit reply — I’d love to hear your story.
You can Emerge Positive!
Positively,
deanne
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