Rebuild Trust with Your Body: A Self-Care Journey

It has now been about 3 weeks since the beginning of the year when we (almost) all set our New Year’s resolutions. I have met countless people talking about their new (or renewed) diet and exercise plans. The New Year’s resolution bandwagon many people jump on in January, is the same one that many people fall off soon after. There are, of course, few who manage to hang on for a while. However, since diets and other “lifestyle” interventions fail most of the time, we can pretty much assume that nearly all people eventually “give up”.

When I think of all these failed resolutions, I am personally questioning the intention behind them. Do we really care about our bodies and about our health when we start self-improvement projects in January? If it is all meant to help us better nourish our bodies and feel healthier, why are we so bothered by specific numbers and goals to reach? Can we not simply allow our bodies to let us know what they need in the moment? For me, this complete lack of trust in our bodies is just another clear sign of our disconnect. It is a sign of our need for control. It is also a sign of our strong belief that rational thinking is always superior to the intuitive one.

I am here to invite you to consider the alternative. What if intuitive response to your body’s natural wisdom is the best way forward if you wish to enjoy overall wellbeing? How would your body reward you each day, if you listened to its call for rest and slept more regularly. How much stronger would your heartbeat, if you took a brisk walk (or insert here your favorite movement) several times a week? How much better would your digestion be if you added some tasty greens to most of your meals?

I am just asking these questions, because there are no certain answers. You may already be doing all these behaviors, and your body may still be unwell for a myriad of reasons. Some of us are suffering from chronic conditions that make even the simplest self-care challenging. Still, listening to the body’s needs is the best way in which we can care for ourselves. My body’s needs will be different than yours, and they will also be different from moment to moment. I cannot follow anyone else’s diet and exercise plan, and you shouldn’t either.

So, as you perhaps get disillusioned with your resolutions, consider simply pausing, relaxing and mindfully listening to your body’s quiet voice. If you have not listened for a while, you might discover that your body is not quiet at all! Maybe it is simply calling for rest, food, movement. Maybe it is screaming with pain. Whatever you hear, just allow the body to express its needs – because once you discover them, you can finally respond with kindness and compassion. You can slowly rebuild the trust and connection with the body you were born into and which you will live through for the rest of your life.

If you wish to practice listening to your body in a meditation practice – I have one for you right below this post. I am also here to help if you want more guidance on the way. May you always live your life’s purpose from the place of self-trust, care and kindness 🩵