What is body wisdom and what can get in the way of us listening to it?
What is body wisdom?
- Body wisdom is our ability to be aware of and respond adaptively to our body’s needs and desires.
- Unlike the mind that communicates through thought processes, human bodies communicate through “felt-sense”, which are the physical and emotional sensations we experience.
- Interoceptive awareness is a sensory function that allows us to feel our feelings and then make sense out of them. You can read more about how Interoceptive awareness can unlock body wisdom here.
- An example of body wisdom meeting our physical needs is being aware of the feeling of thirst, then responding by drinking water. Another example is being aware of your tummy grumbling, then responding by having something to eat.
- An example of body wisdom meeting our emotional needs is being aware of a feeling of sadness or a sinking feeling in the tummy, then responding by doing something pleasurable. Another example is being aware of a feeling of anger or heat rising in the body, then responding by walking away to breathe or cool down.
How can body wisdom enhance our wellbeing?
When we are connected to our body, here are some of the benefits of body wisdom:
- Enhanced physical health as we accurately respond to the needs of our body
- Improved emotional regulation as we notice our feelings and soothe them
- Balanced and healthy thought processes as we access different levels of consciousness
- Authentic decision making as we make choices that align to our values
- Better sleep quality as our brains are not trying to sort out our problems at night time
- Increased self-compassion as we develop an understanding and respect for our humanity
- Resilience to pain and trauma as we give our body what it needs to heal
What can get in the way of us listening to our body's wisdom?
Body wisdom clearly is an essential function for wellbeing and body image healing, but many of us are not confident in understanding or responding to our bodies. Here are a few reasons why body wisdom can elude us:
Lack of Body Awareness-
If you’ve never been taught what felt-sense is or how to listen to it from an early age, then it can simply be that you’re not aware of your body’s communication. So your body may be signalling felt-sense to indicate tiredness, thirst or overwhelm, but you don’t recognise these signs and therefore aren’t able to respond effectively to what your body needs. Over time, if the body doesn’t receive rest when it’s tired or water when it’s thirsty or a reduction in stress when it’s overwhelmed, it will start to affect your body’s overall functioning.
Cultural conditioning-
Cultural conditioning also starts early in life and influences who, what and how we engage with ourselves and others in the world. We also learn what is right or appropriate by how others respond to our actions. For example, in school you learn to eat food items that are similar in portion size to others so that you’re not ostracised for eating “too much” and also aim to finish eating at the same time so as to not be “too slow” and miss out on play time. This conditioning serves a social function, but can also make it tricky to tend to the individual needs and variations of your own body.
Disconnect from the Present Moment-
Our fast-paced, technology-fuelled lifestyle often keeps us disconnected from the present moment, often as a result of being preoccupied with family, work or other distractions. This can make it difficult to hear what your bodies are telling you especially as body’s signals, such as pain for example, start off as subtle at first and get louder when ignored or urgency is greater. Even when we do tune in to the subtle signals, the cult of busyness means that we don’t always interpret what the signals mean for our health and therefore don’t take the necessary action to support our health and wellbeing.
Information overload-
We are well and truly in the age of information, and constantly exposed to conflicting advice, opinions, and theories about health, diet, and well-being. This flood of information can create confusion and paralysis as we get stuck in action, not able to decipher what our unique needs are and then not doing anything, as we don’t want to do it wrong, or waste time, money or effort.
External Authority and Expertise-
There is no shortage of health and diet experts as well as weight-loss and fitness gurus all dictating what is best for your body. Whilst it’s valuable to seek out guidance from appropriately trained professionals, or read books and listen to podcasts etc, there is no-one who is able to gauge your body’s wisdom better than you. Many people are way too keen to stifle their own body wisdom in order to blindly follow a well marketed external authority.
Trauma Responses-
When people experience difficult or traumatic events, especially early on in life, it can lead to the suppression or over-activation of emotions and bodily signals as our bodies try to find safety in the world. And when bodily signals get too overwhelming, it’s common for there to be a disconnect between the brain and the body, whereby the body is trying to ‘speak’ but the brain is unable to read and respond effectively.
Fear and Control-
Fear of uncertainty and the desire for control over life events (and people) can make us resistant to listening to what our bodies need. We may fear discomfort, pain, or change, leading us to override our body’s cues and instead choose what seems familiar or controllable. This can perpetuate unhelpful patterns of avoidance, where we purposely stay away from fear-provoking situations. In the short -term, this may feel comforting as it reduces our fear, but over the long-term, we reduce our ability to cope with fear and deal with important issues.
What are the consequences of not listening to our bodies' wisdom?
Physical Health Issues-
Our bodies are constantly providing signals and feedback regarding our physical needs. Ignoring these cues can lead to the development or exacerbation of physical health issues, fatigue or injury.
Emotional and Mental Well-being
Neglecting our body’s emotional and mental well-being can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even mood disorders. Suppressed emotions and unaddressed psychological needs may manifest as somatic symptoms.
Inauthentic Living
By disregarding our body’s wisdom, we may find ourselves living inauthentically. Our bodies often provide guidance on what aligns with our values, passions, and desires. Ignoring these cues can lead to a life that feels unfulfilling or lacking purpose.
Strained Relationships
Ignoring our body’s wisdom can make us feel more disconnected from ourselves and others. When we don’t honour our own needs and boundaries, it becomes challenging to establish healthy boundaries and maintain fulfilling relationships.
Missed Opportunities for Self-Discovery and Growth
Our bodies provide valuable insights and opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. By not listening to our body’s wisdom, we may miss out on opportunities to understand ourselves on a deeper level, explore new experiences, and tap into our full potential.
Key points
Body wisdom arises from our awareness of and response to our body’s felt senses. It is essential for wellbeing and
What gets in the way of you listening to your body’s wisdom?
How does body deafness impact your health and well-being?
