Have you heard the adage that tells us "our bodies will never lie to us; our minds will almost always lie to us"? I believe this speaks a nearly universal truth.
Our bodies engage with the world via receptors that allow dynamic communication to occur between our internal state and external surroundings. This communication is based on objective data: a drop in blood glucose levels resulting in hunger, a decrease in temperature that initiates shivering. It is a system based on bodily responses to things that are ACTUALLY HAPPENING.
In contrast, our minds are constantly bombarded with the subjective, opinionated, biased information of our culture, societal standards, and loved ones. We exist in interconnected webs and are driven by a desire for acceptance. Therefore, our thoughts are partially a reflection of our environments and what we perceive as our place within them. Tell me if any of these scenarios resonate with you.
~ I'm hungry, but society's current beauty standards celebrate thinness? "I'll wait until dinner to eat again" (hours from now)
~ I'm exhausted, but our culture tells us that the constant buzz of business is indicative of a fulfilling life? "I'll fill my schedule, stay social, and keep up with work"
~ My body is sore and spent, but the fitness industry spouts a 'no days off' mentality? "I'll go to the gym anyway, I'm sure I just need to push through this"
I have found that in these moments, we tend to deny ourselves necessary care. If you are hungry, tired, or sore- there is a REASON for it. These sensations are our bodies' way of communicating need. They are not trying to trick us into becoming fat or socially withdrawn or whatever other scenario scares us so. They are removed from the arbitrary standards our worlds set for us in a way our minds can never be.
Learning to speak the language of our bodies is an empowering process. Each step down this path brings us closer to understanding how our individual vessels respond to the lives we lead. This knowledge will allow us to make decisions based on objective fact: we will become scientists of our existence, masters of the empirical truth of ourselves.
