I am Body-Wise?

How do I listen to my body when it needs rest? Do I listen? What clues does it give me?

Recently, I have been dealing with debilitating back pain and sciatica with shooting, burning pain and numbness down my leg and into my foot. It took this as a serious message from my body for me to stop, take a rest, slow down, and take care of myself.

So many of us ignore our bodies. The physical therapist that I have been seeing put it so aptly. "The louder and angrier the nerve is -- the greater and further the pain is felt." The nerve that was compressed in my back was doing a fantastic job of communicating! I was angry and tired of taking care of other people and putting myself last. I was sad about my rabbit dying and still trying to put my grief aside to coach my clients and take care of their needs.

So much a part of my coaching is coaching myself through the same issues that I will be tackling with my clients. I know this makes me sympathetic and a better coach. Plus it also gives me another tool to practice on myself first and then help others with. So, I have the capacity to be body-wise and need to tune-in to myself to listen.

During this holiday season I will practice this tuning-in as much as I can. I will meditate with a great CD by Belleruth Naparstek called "Relaxation and Wellness" which uses both creative visualization and positive statements that allow me to reinforce this goodwill and "feed my mind" with positive messages. I will continue to feed myself well. Not denying myself tastes of cookies or sweets but also making sure I take my vitamins and supplements and drink my protein shakes, and eat beautiful, colorful, tasty well balanced meals. As my pain subsides and my back improves, I will resist the urge to push and do more than feels good. I will allow my body to continue to heal and rest and enjoy the respite from taking care of others.

I will listen to the anger, feel it, express it, and honor the message. I will not ignore the pain of the loss of my furry friend. I will ask for help when I need it and not expect others to read my mind. I will be grateful that my back improves and that I can continue my friendship with my body, my trusted friend and ally.

I think being Body-wise is being body aware. Not having all the answers but allowing the conversation to continue and keeping the communication open like in any ongoing relationship. Ignoring pain makes it fester.