Listen to your Body
I just returned from a week-long business trip. As usual, I figured I would dive back into work as soon as I returned to the office. But my body was sending me signals to the contrary...
In addition to doing some consulting and training with some of my favorite clients in Asheville, NC at Horse Sense of the Carolinas and Windows on the Park, I managed to squeeze in visits with a variety of friends. It was wonderful AND I returned home exhausted, drained and craving sleep. I tried to pack too much into a short time.
In the past, I would have logged several hours on my computer catching up with e-mail and returning phone calls right away, but this time was different. My six weeks of "time off" encouraged me to make different choices.
My body gently but persistently called "you need rest! " for the first 48 hours that I was home. So instead of pushing through my discomfort (fever, congestion, aches, etc), I decided to listen. I slept, laid on the couch, watched TV, read and relaxed.
Now I feel ready to play "catch up". I think...
When was the last time you listened to your body's messages?
Listening to yourself
I "listen" to signals my body is giving me all of the time. For me, that is not the issue. I am aware of my internal messages, but I have to fit them into my external world...family, professional, and community demands. Then the questions come...am I really that sick/tired/overwhelmed that I can "beg off" from these demands or should I continue to "work through it all"? I have found that in general a failure to push through those bodily signals that are giving you sooo much important information is what society today wansts. It is what people who rely on you want too. For example, elementary and middle school attendance policies for my children encourage attendance to the point that chikdren are rewarded for "perfect attendance" at the year end acacdemic ceremony. What is this telling students and parents from an early age?....yes, it is indicating that attending school is very important (I agree there!) but it is also encouraging kids to "push through" and go to school sick.I cannot believe that they were never sick enough to need some TLC for a whole school year! As a result, others become sick....those are the consequences. What is the consequence of not listening to your body as you get older?...they are more serious and can mean a real decrease in both physical and mental health. But, we are training our children from an early age....keep going, going going!
What I have found so powerful about your blog is following your transition to a more ready to listen to my own advice individual...I know from your coaching you have always emphasized how important self care was, and now you have developed another level of it....that is a blessing after all of your months of moving turmoil. Congratulations on your move and transition to Florida...it has provided a life lesson for not only you, but us all!