Honoring the Needs of Your Body
One of my incredible, amazing yoga teachers gifted me the book “Journey to the Heart” for graduation. This book has daily affirmations and meditations to free mind, body, and soul. It’s such a beautiful way to start the day. My affirmation from the other day inspired me to write a blog post. I talk a lot about honoring our bodies, but I want to dive deeper into what that really means.
Yesterday I stayed in bed almost the whole day. I was racked with guilt as I thought about how unproductive I had been. However, let’s really think it through. I had worked so hard all week with work, school, workouts, and more. I was already tired from the week. On top of that, it’s my best friend’s birthday so obviously we had to celebrate!! I was bound to need a reset and time to sleep and relax. My body told me to sleep and there was no choice but to listen. Last semester I ignored my internal cues and ended up being bedridden because my body was so depleted. My goal this semester was to listen better to my own needs and be patient with myself. So instead of feeling guilty, I have chosen to feel proud. I listened to what I needed and that is a beautiful thing. In reality, I was very productive because I leaned into the need for a reset and took a mental health day. My energy has returned and I feel rejuvenated.
It is all about a shift in mindset. Your body needs the rest and whether you like it or not, our bodies will find a way to rest. You may as well lean into it and enjoy it rather than fighting against it. In your heart you know the answer we just sometimes ignore it because we don’t like the answer or we are too afraid to confront it. It can be a scary thing, but not all scary things are bad. Try to find comfort in the discomfort.
Pushing when we should rest is a comfort response. We do it because we are afraid. The devil we know vs. the devil we don’t. Only doing the things that comfort you aren’t going to get you where you want to be. It’s not always fun, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Whenever I take a mental health day, I start to look around at all the things everyone else is doing and feel bad that I’m still in bed. Everyone’s needs are different. We can’t compare. Tune into you and stop thinking about others. You know your needs and your only choice is will I listen or will I ignore. Choose to listen and be proud of that choice.
Use your time to rest however will best suit you. Maybe that means staying in bed all day. It could mean scrolling on your phone, watching a movie, taking a walk, sitting outside. What is it that you need? What do you feel deprived of? For me it was sleep and I needed to put my thoughts on paper. So, here we are!
The affirmation mentions taking rest as often as you need. I think this is a very powerful statement. Rest when you need. You need to give your body the time it needs to rest and regroup so that you can go conquer the world. It continues by saying, “Your body isn’t a bother; it’s an ally. Your body knows what it needs, and what your soul needs, too.” We have to work in harmony with our bodies, not against them. Life flows much more smoothly when we don’t fight against the things we know we need. Our bodies are brilliant. They will not steer us wrong. Trust that your body knows and will lead you exactly where you need to be.
“To deny the body’s connection to our growth, to push it when it needs rest, is denying the importance and impact of the spiritual work we’re doing.” Pushing when your body is telling you to rest doesn’t make you stronger, in fact, quite the opposite. If you feel forced by some other power to do something your body doesn’t want, then you aren’t in tune with mind, body, and soul. Honoring the needs of the body is one of the highest forms of self love. Giving in to what you need, showing up for yourself, and doing all of this with love for the self.
You are strong. You are powerful. Let your power come into the light. We can only see the power in contrast with the peace and rest.