How to support the healing power of our body? (3/4)
We've all had the experience of not being able to decide on something, although we're not all equal when it comes to the difficulty of making a choice. It can be anything from what we eat, to how we dress, to choosing a job or a house. Most of the time, choosing is the result of a more or less violent internal bargaining process.
For example, one day while I was running, I heard a little voice say, "Why are you doing this to yourself?" And another voice immediately afterwards saying, "You've made a commitment, now get on with it!" (I'd made a commitment to run a certain distance.) I didn't know what to decide for myself anymore. I was caught between the guilt of not doing what I said I'd do and the guilt of not taking care of my body. The outcome of this cacophony was first that my run that day was really difficult, and finally I quit before I reached my goal. My mind gave out on me. As a result, I wasn't happy with myself in either respect. I'd pushed my body too hard and I hadn't done what I wanted to do.
These two little voices are equally valid. They simply respond to two different aspirations, and the problem is letting them argue without coming to a decision. To resolve this discord, I took some time to reflect, and decided to reduce the length of my run to a distance that I'd be happy to do and that would still be a challenge. Afterwards, my training sessions were a lot easier and I enjoyed the exercise.
I chose this example because it illustrates the duality we sometimes harbour within us. During my consultations, I have often come across people who lack self-confidence but have high self-esteem. This creates an imbalance and gives rise to guilt. The more entrenched and long-lasting the conflict, the more discomfort and damage it causes to our systems. It’s often the digestive system that suffers the most, hence allergies, food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, and so on.
It is therefore important to resolve this inner battle. To do this, we can take a short or long break, find an activity that anchors and centres us (sport, cooking, singing, drawing, reading, breathwork, etc.), or seek outside support that we trust and that suits us (such as a psychologist, kinesiologist or sophrologist). The aim is to reconnect with the physical world, so that our mind can relax and emerge from the confusion to resolve our inner conflicts. This supports our mental and physical health.
Designed by FreePik