Listen to Your Body

Source: Google Images

 

The Body's Design

The past few days, I have been dealing with sinus issues. A cold seems to be trying to creep up on me. Thank God He designed my body to fight against illnesses. As I was working yesterday, I could feel waves of heat hitting my face and neck, subsiding, and then hitting my face and neck again. My body is raising its temperature so that the sickening bacteria cannot thrive. I noticed several other mechanisms my body is trying to use in order to work against this cold (running nose, coughing, et cetera). Our bodies are equipped with an immune system that will attempt to restore homeostasis (or balance) to our internal components.

The first question is...

Will you listen to your body? As our bodies wage the war internally, we can actively take part and assist its cause for better health. Listening to your body is not literal in the sense that your body is audibly talking to you, and you must connect with this energy/force to understand... That is not what I mean (least anyone should misunderstand). In contrast, listening to our bodies means responding to signals it gives us. Of course, as we become more conscious of the signals our bodies gives, we will be better able to respond to them appropriately.

Baby Steps

Let's start with two common signals:

--Feeling the need to go to the restroom: Think about the purpose of going to the restroom. The purpose is to eliminate waste from the body. We certainly do not want to hold waste in our bodies and allow it to become a breeding ground for unwanted bacteria. Holding poo can lead to constipation, hemmoroids, anal fissures, and damage to the internal sphincter. Holding pee will likely make you pee yourself before it gives you a bladder infection, but it can begin to breed bacteria in the bladder and cause issues with the kidneys.

--Craving food/being "snacky": Pregnant women get a lot of attention for craving weird foods, but cravings are not exclusive to pregnancy. Craving food is the same as being "snacky" in the sense that you get home, you're not really hungry, but you go to the refrigerator, open up the door, and search for something to eat. You eat your snack, and then a little while later, you pick up a cookie on the counter. Not too long after that, you snag a chip or two or three from your spouse. Cravings/snackiness can be the signals for:

• Hunger: Who knew? Maybe you actually are hungry. Listen for the hungry signal from your body to determine whether you need to toss the cookie aside and cook up a stirfry or make a quick sandwich. If you absolutely cannot satisfy your hunger at the moment, have snack options available to you that are more nourishing: carrots, healthy granola bars, kale chips, a piece of fruit, hummus and crackers, et cetera.
• Dehydration: One of the main reasons for snackiness is dehydration. We need water, water, water! (Refer to above informational poster.) I have heard that before choosing to eat a snack, drink a glass of water and wait fifteen minutes. Well... if you're like me, once you walk to the refrigerator to get "water," you're done for. Out come the blueberries (my delight the last couple of days). The key is to stay hydrated all day long. Keep water with you as often as possible throughout the day and sip or gulp as available.
• Vitamin Deficiency: Another reason for cravings and snackiness could be a signal that your body needs specific nourishment. [Pregnant women apply!] Craving sweets can be a signal from your body that your blood sugar is fluctuating and its trying to balance itself. Craving salty foods can be a sign your stress hormones need balance. Craving chocolate could mean you need more magnesium [me! me! me!]. The list goes one. Snackiness can be the result of a poor diet, and your poor body is trying to tell you-- "GIVE ME MORE NUTRIENTS!"

If you are "new" to listening to your body, try listening for these signals first. They are so common/well known and so frequent that they make great practice for listening for other signals. Eventually, you will be able to listen for other signals. For example, a headache can mean many different things. Listen to your body. Perhaps you need to cut caffeine. Perhaps you are over stressed. Perhaps you are coming down with a sickness. Finding the root cause will ultimately be more satisfying than taking a pill to make the symptom subside. Listening takes practice, and sometimes it takes research, too. Be encouraged as you practice listening to your body!

 

The second question is...

How will you respond to your body's signals? You hear the signal loud and clear. The choice is now yours to ignore the signals or assist your body in its mission for balance. If you hear the signal, I encourage you to do what you can to find the cause of the signal. Once you find the cause, give your body what it needs. Some signals are easier to find the root cause of than others. For example, I have been drinking a lot of water lately because I am fighting this cold and because I have been snacky.

Signal: cold and snackiness
Cause: dehydration and low immune system
Response: increased water intake

Interestingly enough, I find that I naturally drink more water during times like these because my body has been through this process before. My natural (learned, really) response is to increase water intake, and it works. On the other hand, my body has sent me another signal the past couple of years, and I am still trying to find its cause to act on it. Sometimes it takes time and research to recognize patterns in a signal or to learn more information about a signal.

The journey to better health is worth the effort. I encourage you to listen to your body, and know your body. Find the cause of a signal, and respond to that need. Your body will thank you for the attention and nourishment each day by giving you the capability to function.

God bless you and keep you,
~Raquel

Disclaimer

I am not a physican, medical expert, or nutritional expert. I write from personal research. Please consult with your source(s) of health advice and information for further information specific to you or before making any changes in your health routine/lifestyle. You are responsible for the actions you take or do not take toward your health.