Listen To Your Body With Both Ears
It’s starting to feel a lot like allergy season.
Perhaps you planned to work out like crazy this week, but things got in the way. It is hard to know if even wearing a spring coat is worth it on any given day, the weather has been so unpredictable.
Personally excited to kick off iced drink season, I entered a local coffee chain hoping to secure a sugar-less caffeine high. Between the myriad boxed milks loaded with added sugar (consult with your Barista!), and the tempting snacks behind the glass case, there was barely a health-minded option. Even the ‘energy’ bars were chocolate-dipped or honey-kissed, thus making any attempt at listening to my body’s needs near impossible. Against all odds, I went with a Jasmine herbal green tea and a snack bag of mixed unsalted nuts (which I keep in my bag for eating emergencies.) When temptation and convenience compete for your mind’s attention, it is hard to give it both ears.
But in this spring season of renewal, with colorful outdoor signs of reawakening, consider these a friendly reminder to be still amidst the noisy detractors, and a bit kinder and respectful of your own body. It’s time to give it both ears.
This will be no easy task when sleep deprivation, a stressful to-do list and uncontrollable cravings are at your back. These symptoms alone, are enough to trigger the resistance loop in your head, triggering excuses for not taking better care of yourself. Excuses are, we know, much easier and much faster to schedule than more shut-eye, nourishing meals, gym runs and more conscious daily self-care.
Who among us is not guilty, some days, of falling into bed at a decent hour, and then jumping onto a cell phone, supposedly for a minute, only to recover consciousness nearly digitally drunk on information minutes or hours later? Why do we ignore the needs of our body for rest and replenishment, so to feed an insatiable hunger for connection and reward, and at what cost?
· Is your body trying to tell you something when you are exhausted, dehydrated, and moody?
· Are you too driven to schedule breaks?
· Are you paying attention to symptoms and signals, or just scrambling for a quick fix to suppress discomfort?
· How temporary and sustainable are these fixes and are we abandoning our body in the process of seeking succor in our distress?
Your answer to these questions could have a direct and profound impact on your health. Deliberately checking in with the body in these less than comforting moments is a powerful option.
Feeling dehydrated?
Recommit to drinking more water starting this minute.
The brain consists of 90% water.
Water regulates body temperature.
H20 helps to improve stamina and productivity.
Lack of water can make it difficult to pay attention and cause feelings of false hunger.
Feeling anxious?
Take an aromatherapy session at your desk to calm you and enhance your mood. Keep a tube of peppermint or rose-scented lotion on hand to re-energize or relax the body. Breathe in the scent while massaging it into your fingers for an instant boost.
Feeling stressed?
Stay fortified with whole foods containing stress-busting nutrients. Here are some from the plant kingdom:
Magnesium- to keep cortisol levels low: Try oatmeal, almonds, bananas, dark chocolate and pumpkin seeds.
L-Tyrosine- to improve mood and reduce stress: Try edamame, peanuts, avocados and spinach.
B-Vitamins- to reduce work-related stress: Try carrots, squash, peppers, nuts, beans and broccoli.
Vitamin C — to lower blood pressur: Try lemons, cranberries, strawberries, pineapple, dark green leafy greens and sweet potatoes.
L-Theanine- to relax the mind and elevate focus: Try almonds, brown rice, broccoli, tree nuts and teas.
Start with easy and small. Build routines around habits that don’t require a lot of effort. Get a tumbler with a straw built-in to it. Squeeze half of a fresh lemon into it, add ice and a few drops of liquid stevia sweetener for a fast, refreshing and detoxifying lemonade. Set the intention to re-fill it with water at the office before noon. Done.
Avoid an energy crisis by not wearing all-nighters like a badge of honor. Poor sleep can create energy crashes all day, increasing the release of stress hormones and triggering poor eating habits. Left unattended, these can lead to illness and depression. Don’t wait for a train wreck to take notice. Schedule a night off from the business of busy-ness. Indulge in a hot bath or shower before bed to wash away the day’s stress.
Take a pause, and allow a little extra oxygen into your lungs several times a day. Breathe in some good intentions. Find the calm in the middle of the traffic of your life. Discover what you really are needing, rather than resorting to short-cuts to just get through the day.
Without a steadfast commitment to self, life can get pretty untidy.
“The present moment is the only moment available to us, and it is the door to all moments.” –Thich Nhat Hanh
Prepare now to thrive. Your body will hear you.
