In our fast-paced world, it’s so easy to lose touch with our bodies. We find ourselves stuck in our heads, thinking our way through life instead of feeling our way through it. We disconnect and disassociate from ourselves, rehashing or ruminating over painful memories, and repeating negative thinking patterns.
Sometimes, we may rely on spirituality or faith to avoid facing difficult emotions, a process known as spiritual bypassing. While spirituality and faith can be powerful sources of strength and guidance, it’s important to remember that true healing requires us to gently face and work through our emotions, rather than bypass them.
Your body is always trying to communicate with you, working tirelessly to keep you safe, protected and alive.
You’ve probably heard the phrase “trust your gut”—and there’s a reason for that! Our bodies often sense when something is off long before our logical minds can catch up and convince us otherwise. There is a deep connection between our gut and brain. The gut is often referred to as the "second brain" . The "second brain" plays a significant role in our emotional and intuitive responses. The gut, with its own complex nervous system and a vast network of neurons, is intimately linked to our emotions and decision-making processes.
This is evident in a mother’s intuition, a profound inner knowing that something isn’t right. Yet many of us have become experts at ignoring these signals, numbing ourselves to avoid discomfort by turning to food, alcohol, drugs, social media, TV, gaming or spiritual bypassing. By engaging in these dissociative behaviors, we not only disconnect from our emotions but also miss out on the critical insights our bodies are trying to communicate.
This dissociative behavior is another way your body is trying to keep you safe—a survival strategy designed to avoid feeling pain. It’s a beautiful and protective mechanism, and there is no shame in it. However, recognizing that this strategy ultimately prolongs your pain and disconnection with yourself is crucial for making a change and reconnecting with yourself and your body.
Today, anxiety and depression are at record highs, reflecting our collective disconnection. We have become prisoners of our minds, trapped in cycles of worry, fear, negativity and control. But that's not how we are meant to live. We are here to trust the flow of our lives, release the need for control, feel our way through, and surrender to the process. Trust that everything happening is for our highest good. Find the lessons and meaning in difficult times and follow what feels true.
Societal pressures to look a certain way only deepen this disconnection. We criticize our bodies, speak harshly to ourselves, and constantly strive to change our appearance, fostering distrust and disharmony.
To truly heal, we must feel our emotions through the body. We can’t think or talk our way through healing. Stored emotions and painful memories reside in the body and nervous system, so addressing these physically is essential. Research supports this, showing that chronic stress and unresolved emotional trauma can manifest as physical health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders and chronic pain.
By feeling and releasing emotions, we begin to free ourselves from their weight, leading to lasting emotional and physical healing. Studies indicate that if we, along with physicians, would address these root causes of health issues—recognizing the profound impact of emotional well-being on physical health—we would all live healthier lives. Approaches such as somatic therapy and body-based practices are increasingly recognized for their effectiveness in treating both emotional and physical conditions, underscoring the importance of incorporating a holistic approach to health.
I truly believe finding the right balance between Western and Eastern medicine is crucial for long lasting change. While Western medicine excels in acute care and symptom management, Eastern practices like meditation, embodiment practices and herbal medicine offer preventive care and holistic approaches that address the root causes of illness. By integrating the strengths of both, we can create a more effective health care system that honors the interconnectedness of mind, body and spirit.
Reconnecting with your body involves starting to feel in order to heal. This means addressing the stored emotions that trigger your fight-or-flight response. Pay attention to physical signs of stress: tension in your shoulders might indicate you're carrying the weight of the world, neck pain could reflect anxiety, and upper back pain might signal perfectionism and unmet expectations. Your body communicates through these pains. What is it trying to tell you? How can you slow down and truly listen to your body’s wisdom?
Rewiring your relationship with your body means getting on the same team as yourself. It’s about feeling safe in your skin and knowing it’s okay to feel whatever comes up. This awareness is essential. Then leaning on your healthy coping mechanisms and tools to deal with your emotions. Knowing that you are safe now and you have the strength and courage to feel. It’s safe to be present in your body, to feel your emotions, and to be fully engaged in your life.
The next time you’re feeling sad and need to cry, allow yourself to cry with no judgment. The next time you’re feeling anger, allow yourself to go to a room alone and get it out. The next time you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe deeply and tune in to what your body is telling you. These moments of feeling are not weaknesses-it is a sign of courage and strength. They are your body’s way of processing, healing, and moving forward. Each time you FEEL in place of THINKING your way through it, you are healing.
When you heal through feeling, you tap into your body’s innate wisdom, learning to trust your gut instincts and intuition. This journey of reconnection allows you to navigate life with peace and confidence, feeling your way through rather than thinking your way through—and trust me, there is so much freedom in that!
Learning to discern the voice of your soul and intuition from the voice of fear and anxiety is a significant part of the healing journey, especially when you've been disconnected from yourself for so long. I am still on this journey myself, but I’ve found that the more I connect with my body and create a sense of safety within, the quieter those voices of fear and anxiety become and the clearer my intuition and inner wisdom become, guiding me toward a life that is truly in alignment.
You have to FEEL through the body in order to HEAL.
Your body is your home and your vessel here in this lifetime. It is always working FOR YOU. It is safe for you to be in it and it is safe for you to feel.
If you're seeking support, but don't know where to start, you are not alone. I would love to talk about how I can best support you on this journey. Click here to schedule your free call with me today.
Sending you my love,
Holly
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