Mind And Body Introspection – Drill Down To Your Inner Self

The idea of drilling down to connect with your inner self is often called introspection.  It is the process of tuning in to yourself and listening to the signals of your body. Once you understand how your mind and body are connected, you can manage the ups and downs of your day more easily

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Life Tool Box

Through this series of blog posts I am going to help you to continue to assemble your “Life Tool Box.” The toolbox will be filled with lots of simple living skills. When you are having a rough time in your life, just look in the “Life Tool Box” and find the best skill to help you that day.

Each week I’ll continue to choose one common home improvement tool to represent one of these life skills. By the end of each blog post, you’ll understand exactly why you need that tool and how you can use it to improve your daily life.

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Let’s add the drill

A drill  is a tool designed to help you get to the bottom of things. It creates a path from the top to the bottom.

The path you are creating is a trail to your inner self – to the connection between your mind and your body. This pathway can help you to listen to Your Body’s Language.

It can take a while to learn how your body is speaking to you. But once you do, you’ll be amazed at how easily you can understand it. Start by imagining your brain being connected to your spinal column. From there, the largest nerves branch out to all of the major organs and body parts. Each branch becomes smaller and more detailed. Everything in your body is connected to your mind, even down to the tip of your pinky finger.

Tracing Your Thoughts 

Imagine that your thoughts can also travel to other parts of your body. What body part reacts when you think about a work assignment that worries you? Which part speaks loudest when you are in the middle of a heavy schedule? And where do your thoughts about money go when you see your stack of unpaid bills?

This visualization exercise will help you remember how your body is closely connected to your mind. It will help you as we review some of the different ways your body speaks to you.

The Language of Your Body

This list of normal body functions can tell you volumes about your wellbeing. These events are so common and frequent that we often ignore their significance. Let’s take a much closer look and learn the language of our human bodies.

Sleep – Normal for your daily needs/Disrupted or short

Sleep is one of the key physical indicators of good mental health. You know how much sleep it takes for you to feel on top of your game. And you also know how long it takes to recover from a bad night of sleep or insomnia. If you are chronically stressed or constantly worried, your sleep will show it.

Appetite – Normal for your daily needs/Minimal, absent, or excessive

Appetite is  another key bodily function related to overall mental health. Being truly hungry is a sign that your body is using energy and ready to refuel during the day. You feel satisfied when you eat after feeling hungry. A lack of appetite indicates that your energy cycle is off-track. Likewise, excessive eating can be a sign that you are using food to cope with feelings.

Muscles – Relaxed and settled/Twitching and tense

Muscle tension is a hallmark of excess stress. But it’s easy to get accustomed to constantly tense muscles. Think about how your body is positioned right now. Tighten and tense up your muscles as much as possible for a few moments, then let go. Chances are good that you are noticeably more relaxed now than before. How much tension do you hold on to all day long?

Breathing – Deep and slow/Shallow or Rapid

Like muscle tension, breathing is an activity that’s easy to observe and take for granted. Think about a time when you were breathing rapidly today. Were you exercising or were you under stress? Take four deep extra-slow breaths right now. Notice how much more relaxed your breathing is now.

Heart rate – Calm/Elevated

You probably don’t notice your heart rate unless it’s elevated. It’s normal for your heart rate to go up somewhat when you are excited or being active. But a rapid pulse during random times of the day is a sign that your heart rate is on overdrive. Learning how to calm your heart rate is important for managing stress and anxiety during your day.

Focus – Zeroed-in and productive/Scattered and short-lived

Focus is more of a mind function, but it still takes energy and relies on connections with your body. It feels amazing when your focus is truly in-the-zone. You feel confident and capable, ready to get things done. When your attention is scattered and brief, it’s a sign that your mind is overloaded. Taking a short break can really help you reset your focus.

Don’t ignore what your body is trying to tell you every day. Take it slow and really drill down to your inner self. Listen closely and learn the language of your body.

 

Dr. Ines K. Roe has been helping women in transition rediscover themselves for over 20 years. If you’re  been feeling unfulfilled, are frustrated with your sense of accomplishment in midlife, or simply need guidance on your path to holistic well being, join her ecourses.