Listening to Your Body: A Simple Practice for Self-Care and Healing
Our bodies are always communicating with us, but sometimes we need a reminder to take the time to hear it.
During August, I took some time out of office and sailed up the coast of Maine. Summer has also sailed by and boy, has it been busy!
While I was away, it was so nice to power down and rest. But it reminded me of something that I think we could all benefit from.
When it comes to my body—and I guess life in general—I’m still learning and trying to get it right.
Despite having a steady morning meditation and journaling practice (outdoors watching the birds & critters at our feeders & whatever currently is blooming in our gardens), despite regular self MFR & yoga, receiving MFR sessions (right now weekly because it’s what my body has been needing), and despite being in the business of caring for others, there are still far too many moments when I ignore what my body needs because I’m busy doing something else.
The other week, my body felt amazing after receiving an MFR session. My chest felt so open. My neck felt free and longer—finally that “like a giraffe” feeling that a client once had that I was hoping I’d get to experience one day…
Then I got home and sat at my computer to wrap up the prior month’s financials. After that, I got busy with a few other online tasks. Before long, I felt the tightness returning to my neck and shoulders.
I noticed it. I even thought to myself, “This can wait. I need to stop and stretch.”
But I kept working because I was almost done.
And by the time I finally stopped, my neck was quite sore. I was reminded of my own advice—the advice I’ve given to clients so many times:
Stop what you’re doing and listen to what your body is saying.
So I did just that. And it felt like a small victory.
I had woken up with a tight muscle—despite having done absolutely nothing except sleep. You know those mornings?
My garden is a place that always reminds me to slow down and be present.
In the middle of my morning practice of meditating & journaling while admiring the nature around me, I paused. I noticed the soreness in my body & I went back inside and did some self-release on a foam roller.
As I was working with those tight muscles, I remembered that I had skipped my usual post-work stretches the night before because I had to scurry off to our boat to go sailing after work.
In the rush, I skipped setting up the room for the following day.
But more importantly, I skipped what my body needed.
My work is physical. All day long, I’m pushing and pulling, bending over clients, and giving my arms, shoulders, and neck quite a workout. You may even catch me stretching when you walk into the room. I stretch before my workday, between clients and I stretch afterward, so I can go home and feel good physically.
Those stretches help my body feel open and free after a day of working.
But the night before, I skipped them. And my body reminded me.
Despite all I do for my body, my spiritual practice, and the work I do to help other people, I am still learning to take better care of myself.
To take care of myself more deeply—and more immediately.
To listen to what my body is saying instead of ignoring it or pushing it off for several minutes, hours, or days.
Listening to our bodies and giving them what they need is a cornerstone of healing—and of preventing more myofascial restrictions from developing.
So, I invite you to pause for a moment today and check in with your body.
What is it telling you?
Is there something it needs that you’ve been putting off?
Maybe you need to stretch. Take a walk. Rest. Drink some water. Eat a juicy peach over the sink and savor it. Or simply stop what you’re doing for a few minutes and listen. Reconnect. I never regret taking time to give my body what it needs. And friends— neither will you.
P.S. Manchego had his first haircut this month! Isn’t he pretty? No one told us having a Maine Coon would involve quite so much work to keep all that glorious fur happy!
As always, take good care,
Jessica