We often look outside of ourselves for ways to improve our health or decrease discomfort. In doing this we may be overlooking the information and wisdom that our bodies are trying to communicate. If we pay close attention, it shows us in multiple ways what we need more or less of in our lives to enhance our wellbeing. Here are a few strategies that I use to make a shift toward wellness using the brilliance of my body data. Suffering is a Signal. Last week I read The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self by Martha Beck. It gave me an answer I’ve been looking for as I’ve been supporting a loved one in discovering the root cause of a mysterious health challenge. In the book she talked about how our body responds with physical illness when we are out of alignment with our truth. Instead of sharing this information directly, I asked my loved one the following question, “Over the course of your entire career, what work has felt most purposeful and aligned with the truth of who you are?” Their answer described work that they had been doing previously for many years that ended not long before their difficult physical symptoms began. Your truth may be related to your career, relationships, identity, or anything else that contributes to what makes you feel whole. When we are in environments that are out of alignment with who we truly are, our mind and body will sound the alarm. Our suffering is a signal that it is time to return to our truth. Where and when have you been experiencing physical, mental, or emotional suffering? How might you honor your truth to alleviate this discomfort? Stress Score. My Fitbit watch has a feature that gives me a daily stress management score based on my heart rate variability, sleep patterns, and other related factors. The higher the score the better. Recently I noticed that my score was extremely higher than usual on the final day of my last vacation. I scrolled through months of my past stress management scores to find the last time when this elevated score occurred. Not surprisingly, it happened on the final day of a previous vacation that I took that was the same length of time. Other common factors included time spent in sunshine, mountains, and in water, particularly the ocean. Even without the help of my Fitbit data, I know that I feel my best when I am engaged in these intentional acts of joy. Each time my body and mind confirm that this is the exact prescription and medicine that I need for my mental, physical, and emotional healing. What people and places increase your stress management score? How might you make more space for those individuals and environments? Rate of Rest. While a high stress management score on my Fitbit app is a great thing, a high resting heart rate has the opposite meaning. Over time I’ve noticed that when my resting heart rate is high it is directly connected to some very specific indicators. It happens when I don’t get enough exercise or sleep, when I’m sick, or when I’ve had too much to eat or drink. This lets me know that it’s time to make a shift in my habits or behaviors to return to the level of health that is necessary for me to show up as my best self for myself and for the communities that I serve. What are the indicators that alert you when it’s time to return to a healthy rate of rest? This week I challenge you to listen and pay attention to your body data. Each of your inputs and outputs enables it to provide important information that tells you exactly what you need to know to reduce your stress and be at your best. Manifestation Affirmations I am honoring and living my truth in every area of my life. I am engaging in intentional acts of joy. I am reaping the rewards of rest.
Master Your Mindset to Manifest a Life You Love. Most Sincerely, Monica Marie Jones Your Soul Journey Guide