You know that nagging feeling you get sometimes when something just doesn’t feel right? Maybe it’s a pain in your back that won’t go away, or a feeling of being tired all of the time, or something more subtle like noticing that you get angry quicker than normal.
Something is different. It’s probably worth paying attention to and trying to figure out what is going on.
Our bodies are so remarkable in everything they do. Inside of us is an intricate pharmacy, capable of adding a few drops of this hormone here and a pinch of that endorphin there as needed. Then everything is cleared away and balance returns without any nasty withdrawal symptoms.
If you have ever been startled and your adrenaline started flowing, you know exactly what I am talking about.
Beneath the surface of our awareness, each and every day, a battle is fought for balance. Invaders are identified and neutralized, growth and death of cells occurs, and we turn food into the bodies that we are. All of this goes on with no conscious help from us.
Sometimes we are guilty of doing a lot that inhibits this intricate process of life.
We don’t eat well, we are stressed, we don’t get enough sleep, we are angry, or we sit around too much and don’t move as much as we should.
Sometimes we are real jerks where our bodies are concerned.
In those moments when you get a feeling that something is going on, the least you can do is pay attention to it. Unfortunately, many people reach for a drug to stop the symptoms. Sore back? Take a painkiller. Upset stomach? Throw some antacids in there.
While effective in certain circumstances, over-the-counter drugs are the equivalent of taking a hammer to fix a fine watch. They aren’t nearly as sophisticated as what the body is able to produce on its own.
We live in this world. There is no getting away from that. While evolution is a beautiful thing that allows species to adapt to changing environments, it doesn’t happen overnight. There are millions of things that we are exposed to now that didn’t exist a hundred years ago.
Because of this, there is a rise in certain illnesses that could be a reflection of the daily assault that our bodies are dealing with. Autoimmune diseases are one example of a possible consequence to what is going on outside of us affecting what happens on the inside.
Some things are within your control, some are not. It is important not to throw your hands up in the air and absolve yourself of all responsibility because the wifi is killing us and pollution is everywhere. It’s actually more reason to support your body in the massive tasks it performs to try to stay in balance and be healthy.
By becoming aware of the subtle messages that are presented to us regularly, we can do something about it before it becomes a serious issue.
If you know you aren’t getting enough sleep, work at changing that. Find a way. Having a nice new car or a beautiful house or fancy clothes won’t matter if you are too tired to take care of yourself properly. There will be repercussions and then none of the rest of it will matter.
You choose what you eat and drink every day. Begin to make some choices that are a little more responsible.
Be active, stretch, and find something that you enjoy doing that exercises your body at the same time. We are built to move around, not be stationary. We probably move 2000% less than our ancestors did. It’s not a healthy way to be.
Try to listen a little more and stop forcing yourself to do more than you can reasonably do. Nothing you have outside of you will mean anything if you are unwell and can’t enjoy it.
Practice self-care. Be aware of all that you could stand to lose if your body turns against you because of neglect. It’s in your power to take care of yourself a little better starting right now.