Nothing is more important than our health. After all, where would we be without our bodies, our alive-ness? Given that simple stark fact, it's a wonder we're ever inconsiderate of our bodies. In my Wednesday post Body As Biography I suggest that our "stories" are indelibly imprinted on our bodies-- that they hold our memories and often give us feedback that we sometimes ignore.
Research shows that phenomena like migraines might really be our body's way of telling us that there are unattended issues that we might not even be aware of. These could be emotional or physical or both, as in the case of my repressed traumatic assault. In his seminal book on the subject “The Body Keeps the Score”, Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.says when there is a “deep divide between our sense of self and the sensory life of our bodies...Sometimes we use our minds not to discover facts, but to hide them... (after all), physical sensation defines our relationship to ourselves and to our surroundings.”
Or our bodies might be also warning us that our habits of bodymind are not optimal and need addressing. For example depression is at near epidemic levels right now and more people than ever are taking anti-depressant drugs like SSR I's (one in every eight people over the age of 12!) to alleviate the symptoms of depression. In my post Gut Reaction I write about the research on the link between the health of the microbiome in the gut (the Second Brain) and depression. It just might be the case that our feeling down in the dumps might simply be relieved by modifying our diet (Food For Thought).
van der Kolk states further, “Somatic (body) symptoms for which no clear physical basis can be found are ubiquitous in traumatized children and adults. They can include chronic back and neck pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, digestive problems, spastic colon/irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, and some forms of asthma.”
And then there's the ubiquitous "S" word. We hear over and over again that stress alone can have a huge impact on the natural functioning of the body. “If an organism is stuck in survival mode, its energies are focused on fighting off unseen enemies, which leaves no room for nurture, care, and love". The long list of stress-related illnesses include heart and autoimmune diseases and diabetes.
Rather than taking prescription drugs to mask the symptoms of these ailments-- drugs necessarily impact other aspects of the natural functioning of the whole body (Smoke and Mirrors)-- it makes more sense to get to the source of the problem. And this requires listening to our bodies for the answer. Once you can identify the physical or emotional imbalance, the healing can begin.
As you contemplate the fresh start of the week ahead, find a moment to take a read of your body biography:
1. GO WITH YOUR GUT-- What are your main physical complaints, especially those for which you take medication on a regular basis; headaches, intestinal issues, back pain, etc.?
2. DO WHAT IT TAKES-- Consider what might be the cause/s for these ailments.
If your body intuition tells you these symptoms are a result of stress, there are so many techniques and resources to change the chronic state of fight/flight that many of us live in. Certainly things like regular physical activity (something you love doing!), yoga, meditation, mindfulness, etc. can help reconnect "with our ability to imagine, plan, play, learn, and pay attention to other people’s needs” that shut down when we are in survival mode.
If you suffer from gastrointestinal issues and/or depression, it's important to look to your gut health. Do a little delving and maybe make some changes in your diet suggested above. It's your life and your body. Feeling better is its own reward!
If you suspect there are unresolved emotional issues or even trauma it is important to seek professional help from a psychotherapist. Therapies like EMDR have been incredibly successful in alleviating the physical triggers associated with deep-seated and unsettled life experiences.
As you Mind Your Body in the week ahead, Lose Your Mind and tap into the wisdom of the body. It might be narrating important truths about your Body As Biography. Do it as if your life depended on it.
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