When our body, mind, and spirit are in balance, we experience good health. Just as there are seasons in nature, our bodies go through times of cleansing and times of activity. When we are not feeling our best, we can go beyond addressing the physical symptoms to listen to our bodies as they tell us the changes needed to restore balance.
Our bodies give us signals, but if we don't listen when they tell us that they are tired or stressed, then the imbalance increases and a stronger message is required, one that is generally expressed by illness. The first step to regaining equilibrium involves slowing down, eating healthy food, getting more rest, and taking soothing remedies. Once we have nurtured ourselves with these things, we can begin to examine our illness for the message. A headache may be a sign that we have been thinking negatively, harbouring anger, resentment, or guilt.
When we take the time to listen to our bodies, we can learn how to restore our balance and improve our lives.
My Thoughts:
I am really good at ignoring the inner signs that my body gives out. I have never been one for very much sleep, five hours a night or less is normal for me, and I have an inbuilt frame of mind that to sleep is to waste time that could be used to do more productive thing. Therefore, when my body craves rest, I have a bad habit of dismissing it, grabbing another coffee and ploughing on. It is not until it becomes impossible to disregard the fact that I just simply cannot continue, that I finally accept that I am exhausted and give in, usually as the result of an illness.
I am also very single-minded and if I decide that I am going to do stuff, like around the house, the garden, go out or undertake any task, then I have a need to get make sure that it is completed, often in one go. Then I know that the next day my back will be in spasm and I won’t be able to move, but the way I see it, even if I pace myself there is a good chance that my back will not be happy anyway. I hate having things hanging about waiting for completion. Therefore, my logic is that I might as well work through something to the end so that even if my back does object the day after, at least the job is already finished.
Hunger is another thing I ignore. You’d think I would be skinny but that is far from the case. I tend to binge on the wrong stuff, at the wrong times of the day and am more likely to have coffee and a snack rather than proper meals at the correct time. That all adds on the pounds, lots and lots of them, and even though my logical mind shouts at me that this is not healthy, it is a bad habit I have done all my life, and I still do it.
As I have got older, I have become more acutely aware of the impact the years are having on my body. There was a time, not so long ago that I would work, write, get drunk and party for days on end and think nothing of it, but in the last few years that has changed dramatically. I am more content now with who I am and where I am in my life. There is no longer a need for thrill seeking antics or to try and escape the grind of always striving for a work/life balance. As a result, I find I am doing more things that stimulate my mind, rather than having to distract it from stress.
So, I know all the things that I should be doing to eat healthier, to lose weight, to avoid causing further trauma to my back, to get my mind, body and soul in harmony. As they say … but as to whether I actually do it or not, will always remain open for dispute. Maybe though, at my age it be a bit late to start.