To fully function we need our vessel, our physical body, to be at its peak. Too often, many of us sacrifice that part of our well-being in favor of pushing through the tiredness, ignoring any pain or generally being in denial about something that is not right with us physically.
To stop and deal with this means we have to first make ourselves a priority instead 
of giving everything to family, work and every other demand on our time. Often we have even learned from the examples of those who influenced us growing up, that caring for self is selfish; that it is wrong to put yourself first. But the fact is until you function at your best, you can never truly give to those you wish to. Put your own oxygen mask on first to be able to give your best.
We have been taught in school how the body works. However, school does not teach how to communicate with your body and listen to its needs; to listen to the messages you are receiving.
Our health stems from how we treat our bodies. Love your body and pay attention to your needs and you will find your health improves. Ignore those needs and eventually your health does suffer. Sometimes when we have deadlines, we have to push though, but it can become a bad habit that causes our well-being to suffer. Get in tune with your body, and listen to what it is trying to tell you. Physical dis-ease in the body stems from not listening to the messages constantly trying to get through.
Here is a simple exercise to get you in tune with your body and its needs:
- Close your eyes.
- Inhale deeply. Feel the oxygen filling you lungs, flowing through your body. Now exhale slowly and feel the carbon dioxide leaving your body, making room for fresh oxygen. Notice your chest rising and falling, expanding and contracting, with each breath.
- Put your hand over your heart. Feel the beat of your heart; can you feel the drumming ripples moving through you? Now remove your hands. Notice the way you are more conscious about each beat even though you no longer have your hands over your heart.
- Do you know when you are thirsty? Do you listen to your needs and get a drink? Do you know when you are hungry or have had enough to eat – if you find yourself unsure, then you haven’t been in tune with your physical being.
- Spend the next 24 hours consciously paying attention to the basic functions of your body. Use this to listen to your body’s needs.
When you are able to tune in to your physical body, you will immediately notice when something is not right, and be able to make a change.
Take a moment and take stock of how you are feeling at this moment.
Are you tired? Do you need a nap? Does something just feel off? What can you do about it? Maybe right at this moment, you cannot rest but can you make your well-being a priority and schedule in a few hours of relaxation? When we care for our physical bodies, we show ourselves love.
Our bodies are also the visual representation of us. Too often our outside does not match our inside, perhaps because we have been told what to wear and what society expects from us. In all this messaging, we may lose who we are at our core. Sometimes fear of being too different causes us to try to style ourselves to fit in. But to walk your truth, you have to start with your physical appearance. Do you feel like yourself when you get dressed each day? If not, make a shift and change just one thing to that makes you feel like you fit who you are inside.
Healing starts by making a shift – one small change brings ripples of greater change. Break free of old habits and know that you are worthy of taking time to care for yourself physically.
What change can you make today so that your outside fits who you are on the inside?
Be Well, Be Blessed
Santa
