How to speak body and end suffering!

Have you ever felt stuck or weighed down by certain negative emotions? If you are then you’re not alone. For the last 10+ years, I’ve dedicated my life to learning how to manage my anxiety because I was feeling the same way! I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. It wasn’t until I learned how to implement proper nutrition and self-care rituals that I’ve seen such a huge difference in my overall health and wellbeing.

And one of the most effective self-care practices I’ve learned is the art of listening to my body. An art I have yet to master but when I do I feel so much better.

You see, our body speaks to us through symptoms and whenever we feel bad we tend to judge ourselves. Instead, we must get curious about what our body needs. We’ll say things like “What’s wrong with me?” or “I’m so lazy and undisciplined!” This can lead us down a rabbit hole with no forward momentum. The moment we judge ourselves we lose the ability to tune in and give our body what it actually needs!

It’s so easy to get stuck inside our heads and judge everything and everyone but that’s how we lose our way. It was particularly true for me these past few weeks. Lately, I’ve been struggling with a lack of energy, especially towards the end of the day. This lack of energy would affect my mood and my ability to show up well for myself and others. This would make me so mad at myself for not being able to perform at my highest level. I would say “what’s wrong with me? I eat super healthy! I exercise! Why can’t I hit it all day?”

Once I got out of my head and into my heart and tune in to what my body needed I started feeling better.

There are a few things that my body needed and I’m happy to share them since I feel it would serve you.

#1 I was carrying the weight of grief. I’ve experienced so much loss in my life and I never took the time and energy to feel the pain that was trying to emerge through me. I would often turn to nutrition, herbs or supplements to take care of any discomforts. It would often do the trick but it was never long lasting as that old isolating feeling of loneliness would always come back.

It was particularly true last sunday morning. I woke up feeling sad and lonely and right away I felt the urge to go for bike ride as it makes me feel better. But then I realized that is my way of escaping, instead I must take the time and energy to feel this pain. As we need to feel it in order to heal. As uncomfortable as it was it was truly therapeutic!

I even went as far as journaling on it which I know it sounds so cliché but let me tell you it’s one of the most powerful gift you can give yourself. After I was done writing, I turned the page and started writing how proud I was of myself for taking the time to heal myself and I thought of all the wonderful people I have in my life! Because as important as it is to feel in order to heal, it’s just as important not to live there!

After this powerful exercise I felt a huge weight off my shoulders and I was in a good place, emotionally, mentally and physically1

#2 I felt I was pushing myself too much which was one of the reasons why I felt tired towards the end of the day. I’d wake up at 4:50 in the morning to go workout then I would treat 4 clients then I expected myself to show up well for my family after work. But that’s when I’d feel both physically and emotionally tired. So I took a week off working out this week and I slept in. That is huge for me because I’m a huge fan of working out first thing in the morning because usually how you start the day is how you end the day. This is true in most cases but sometimes the body needs rest.

This led me to making some minor changes going forward. Like treating 3 clients/day instead of 4 clients/day but still keep my morning routine as it’s something I truly enjoy! Then take a 30 minutes power nap in the afternoon. Just the nap alone has been making a difference in my mood and in my energy!

#3 I felt I needed to minimize my sugar intake. Even if it’s all natural sugars like maple syrup, honey and high glycemic fruits like banana.. I noticed the sugar spike and crash was affecting my mood and my energy. Especially after seeing the momentum of contrast of not having any this week. I felt so energized and in such a great mood that It’s not worth the 2 minutes quick fix.

It just goes to show you how much power we have when we listen to our body and give it what it needs. I would invite you to do some of these self-care rituals

A) Use curiosity instead of judgement

B) Take the time and energy to feel in order to heal

C) Start a mood journal and measure how you’re feeling which is a great way to get out of your head and into your body!

I hope this serves you well! If you feel this was valuable in any way. Please spread the love and share this blog post

Yours Truly

Nancy Pitre, Certified Holistic Health Coach