Mind-Body Alienation

Take a moment and breathe deeply allowing your body to relax so that you can come from that “place of knowing” inside of you. Now, ask yourself whether you feel a sense of mind-body connection, or mind-body alienation. I have worked with many people who have been abused as a child and suffer from life long debilitating issues that come from not being valued, cared for or accepted.

How often do we subject our body to the same type of abuse? We call ourselves names: fat, ugly, old, etc. I try to never do this by the way! I mentioned in a previous post that I had been feeling fat when I created my vision board, but I never tell myself that I am fat or send mean thoughts towards my own body. But what are the consequences of doing so?

We do not give our bodies the care that they need:  movement, stretching, sleep, nutritious food, high quality supplements and good water. Not only do we withhold the good things from our body, we subject it to abuse in many forms. We don’t get enough sleep; ingest horrible chemicals such as nutra-sweet, excess sugars, added hormones and preservatives.

So what is the cumulative effect of all of these abuses that we render upon our own physical bodies? It not only affects our physical selves, but our spiritual, emotional and mental capacities and connections are also affected. I have to wonder if when we strive to begin a healthy lifestyle, to lose weight, eat better and get more exercise, if we might do well by letting our body know that we love and value and appreciate it. I think we owe it a “makeup” for whatever abuse we have inflicted on it, just as we would strive to make amends to a friend or child we had inadvertently harmed. Could it be that illness is in part the result of this alienation between mind and body?

So, as we breathe deeply and tap into our unconscious wisdom, let’s ask ourselves what we can do to begin reconnecting with this physical manifestation of ourselves. Think of it as if you are adopting a child who has been abused and needs an extra dose of compassion, love, acceptance, support and understanding as it begins to regain a sense of it’s power, strength and ability.

I like to think that each of us has our own special “RECIPE FOR SELF-CARE”. Here is my own recipe that I have adjusted over the years to make it just right.

Beth’s Recipe for Self-Care

Continual Measures of Prayer & Faith

Continual Reflections of Gratitude

1 Hour of Exercise alternating with yoga 5x weekly

1 yummy protein shake

Daily high quality supplements (multi-vitamin & mineral, Omega 3  & 6, Vitamin D, Magnesium & Calcium, Vitamin E complex)

Lots of fruits & vegetables

Several doses of diaphragmatic breathing/day

Daily meditation of some form/

Scripture study

Contact with good friends in person or email

Frequent Hugs

Recently added: a daily soak in the hot tub

Please take a few moments to jot down your own recipe for self care. Add whatever you might need to do to reconnect with your physical self. Don’t judge…think in terms of nurturing in healthy ways.

Now, lets reconnect with our bodies. Can we be more mindful of how we treat them during the holidays? What types of foods will heal and restore? How can we get more movement? Take time to stretch and release tension? Slowing down, being mindful and listening to our body helps us to know what it needs.

Be well,

Beth