Have you ever wondered why when we’re sick, pregnant, or battling any sort of health condition we’re told to listen to our bodies, but we’re not given the same advice when we’re feeling healthy? Like so many other things in our world, we address issues when they become problems in our lives — and not before. We’re reactive rather than proactive.
I know this firsthand because I’ve experienced it firsthand. When I was pregnant, I knew exactly what my body wanted and needed — be it rest, water, food, activity — and I listened to it. Whenever I get sick, I listen to my body and give it whatever it needs to recover. But, I wasn’t listening to my body otherwise. In fact, I often went against what it needed — overindulging in wine, greasy food, and going long periods without being active.
As a result, I started to feel imbalanced. Even though I’ve always read, meditated, and created regularly and made a conscious decision to always serve my spirit and mind… I wasn’t offering the same service to my body, and it was catching up with me!
Then one day I had an epiphany. I realized I *couldn’t* go any further with my spiritual journey if I continued to neglect my body and its needs. Overnight, I cleaned up my diet. I made a commitment to be active. And I started using the intuitive guidance system BEFORE making decisions about what to eat, do, experience, or even who to be around.
The result has been astonishing. I can now get into a flow state of creativity within minutes. I’m more productive than I’ve ever been before. I feel alive and healthy. Plus, I have tons of energy and feel balanced within. This all happened because I chose to listen to my body via intuitive body guidance.
What is intuitive body guidance?
If you listen to your body when it whispers, you won't have to hear it scream. Click To TweetIntuitive body guidance is the process of going within, and listening to what your body needs. This may encompassing everything to what you eat, when you sleep, how much water you drink, what kinds of activities you engage in, and everything in-between.
Rather than viewing your body as separate from your logical mind, intuitive body guidance views the body as an equal — capable of helping you make better decisions around your overall health and wellness.
How does intuitive body guidance work?
When you make a conscious decision to go within, and involve your body in the decision making process BEFORE you take action (i.e. before eat that pizza, miss your workout, or overwork yourself) you’re leveraging intuitive body guidance.
This process is all about inviting your body to take part in the exchange of energy happening in your life. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense! After all, everything in the world is energy — your body included. And your body is a smart system, designed to communicate with you on and ongoing basis.
Here are some examples of intuitive body guidance at work:
- Stomach grumbling when you’re hungry
- Dry throat when you’re thirsty
- Intestinal cramps/gas when you eat something that’s hard to digest
- The ‘vibes’ you feel about certain people/events (can be positive or negative)
- Feeling a desire to take a walk outside or be active
These are just a few of the many ways our bodies communicate with us, and express what they need. The more we listen to our bodies, the easier it becomes to decipher the guidance our bodies are sharing with us.
What areas of my life should I use intuitive body guidance for?
Use intuitive body guidance as often as possible in your life. It’s particularly useful as you find a lifestyle (diet, exercise, hobbies) that works for you. When you channel this guidance AND listen to it, you will see optimal results.
I’ve been using it a lot in my life lately, and I’ve had several ah-ha moments including:
- I can’t eat dairy! It makes me physically sick, lethargic and is SO hard on my digestive system. Once I really *got* it, I cut it from my diet cold turkey. Now I feel so much better.
- I LOVE mushrooms. Growing up, I never gave mushrooms a try. I always thought they looked funny and gross and had no desire to eat them. But, as I involved my body in the decision-making process, it led me to mushrooms. Now, they are my favorite vegetable and have become an absolute staple in my daily meals.
- My body was CRAVING yoga similar to how some people crave sweets. It was the missing link in my spiritual practice. I’ve recently committed myself to a yoga practice, and I feel phenomenal! So much more energized, alert, and focused.
As you can see, you can use intuitive body guidance as a tool to direct any aspect of your life. The important thing is that you do what works for YOU — not your mom, sister, friend, partner, co-worker, or anyone else.
You can use intuitive body guidance as a tool to direct any aspect of your life. The important thing is that you do what works for YOU — not your mom, sister, friend, partner, co-worker, or anyone else. Click To TweetWhat if I don’t know how to go within and listen to the guidance?
Like anything else in life, the first time you try this it may feel weird. After all, we’re so used to be disconnected from the natural world, our bodies included, that reestablishing that connection may take time.
Consistency is key, and will ultimately help you continue to go deeper within and learn to listen to what your body wants and needs.
How do I get started?
By now you’re probably wondering how to get started. In this section, I’m going to offer you 3 simple ways you can begin involving your body in the decision making process starting right now.
Ready to dive within? Let’s do this!
1.) Consult your body before you make a decision
Rather than unconsciously eating whatever is in sight, or plowing yourself onto the couch to binge-watch a new series, instead, involve your body. You can do this by asking a simple yes or no question: “Do you want to eat/watch/drink/do this?”
Then listen for the answer. The more you do this, the more conscious you will become of your actions, and ultimately decisions. It’s rarely the *massive* decisions that impact your life the most… it’s typically the small ones that seem like “no big deal” but compound over time.
Your daily decisions determine how you experience life, and lay the foundation for your future health and wellness. By consulting your body, you’ll set yourself up for a much brighter, and healthier future.
2.) Do one thing to serve your body every day
It's okay to rest. Everything and everyone will be just fine. Listen to your body. It is here to help you. Go ahead and take a nap. Get an extra hour of sleep. You are worth it. Click To TweetYour body is your physical vessel while you’re on this human journey. And your body is alive — constantly replenishing itself, and working tirelessly on your behalf. How often do stop to give it thanks, or show it appreciation?
For most of us, that answer is not often. Of course it’s not that we mean to neglect our bodies… it’s just we’re busy, and living unconsciously. But, part of the intuitive body process is to become aware of what you’re doing, when you’re doing it, and WHY you’re doing it.
Do something to serve your body every day. Ask your body, “How can I serve you today? What do you need from me?” Then, get very still and listen for the answer. It’s likely to come in a form of knowing, sudden inspiration, or even a word or image. For example, if your body needs to reconnect with nature, you might close your eyes and see trees and feel a desire to walk in the park.
Be open and willing to listen to your body in all of the ways it’s communicating with you.
3.) Prioritize the big picture, rather than instant gratification
This is the hardest recommendation, but if you can master it then it will pay you dividends for years to come. You see, our brains are wired to desire instant gratification. We’re addicted to the dopamine release of that social media scroll, or first bite of pizza. It feels good at the moment. But, what feels good in the immediate term isn’t always what’s best for us in the long term.
When you’re listening to your body and involving it in the decision-making process, oftentimes you will have to override that dopamine addiction in your brain. That means saying no to the feel-good social media scroll, or greasy food, or TV series. The first few times you do this, it will be hard. But, the more you prioritize what’s best for you now AND in the future, the easier it will become.
Use these 3 intuitive body guidance tips to start listening to your body today.
Xx,
Antasha
About Antasha Durbin: Antasha is a spiritual writer and a life-long student of the universe. Her website, cajspirituality.com, is dedicated to helping you nourish your mind, body & soul. Subscribe for free, easy-to-digest, and highly actionable advice on how to nourish yourself from the inside out, yo.
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