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Hello Ladies- Why is it so hard for women to listen to our bodies? Why do we ignore signs and symptoms that our body is unwell? One obvious reason is that the lack of education and investment in women’s health (particularly around menopause) creates a sense of distrust that any doctor really understands what is happening in our body.
Recently, I am appreciating the concept that our body signals when our behaviors are not reflecting our values. For example, I will suddenly experience physical symptoms that force me to stop and slow down such as SI joint inflammation, painful cold sores, even trouble swallowing food (scary when it’s just the dogs and me)! Usually I can trace the cause to lack of sleep or excessive worry, but now I appreciate these moments as a physical manifestation of the disconnect between what I value, and how I live into those priorities. If I value sleep, why do I stay up for that extra 45 minutes scrolling Instagram? Cue…cold sore! If I value authenticity in relationships, why am I reluctant to set boundaries with family? Hello…back pain! If I value fueling my body, why do I rush through meals so quickly that I hardly chew and tense all of the muscles in my throat? Finley and Riley….how DOES a dog give the heimlich?
“What you feed, grows.”
This simple phrase reminds me that it is never too late to change our behaviors to align with our values, as long as we pay attention to our body’s unique pattern of signaling distress.
Invest in habits that sustain you, and have patience with yourself. Gratefully,
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