21/02/2024
We're often told to listen to the wisdom of our bodies...
Well after nearly five decades of getting to know it, I've realised my body doesn't know 💩
The 'wisdom' of my body tells me that I can survive on a diet of jelly beans, mac and cheese, and toblerone, and that sitting with my legs tucked under or sleeping with my hip thrown over is really really comfy. I've realised that, like a toddler, my body knows what it *wants*, but not what it *needs*. And like a parent it's my job to try to help and guide it to do better.
Many of us realise this with respect to diet and exercise. We reach midlife and realise we have to eat healthier or exercise more. But how many reach the same level of conscious awareness about their posture?
Your body will tell you that all sorts of strange, twisted and leaning positions are comfortable or even seem to relieve your pain, but it's lying! And this lie is where a lot of chronic backache, sore necks, tight shoulders, dodgy knees and even persistent headaches can come from. Just like retraining our taste buds to love that green smoothie we have to retrain our bodies to stand tall, balance weight evenly, keep our hips square, drop our shoulders, and use the amazing construction of our musculoskeletal system to proper effect.
Just mindfully noticing your posture and kindly correcting yourself (like you would a child) as often as you remember, will increase your connection to your body and your understanding of the origin of persistent aches and pains.
So this week when you're waiting for the kettle to boil, standing at the bus stop, or sitting watching TV just check in and feel, is your weight more on one side? Are you carrying your head forward and putting stress on your neck? Where are your shoulders? Can you roll them back or drop them lower?
Let me know in the comments what you notice!