We spend much of our lives in our heads. We think, we plan, we worry. But there’s a powerful source of wisdom that often goes unnoticed.
This wisdom doesn’t come from thoughts. It comes from feelings. Your body is constantly sending you messages through physical sensation. Learning to listen is the key to a deeper kind of knowing.
We usually think of self-knowledge as understanding our thoughts, memories, and beliefs. This is conceptual self-awareness, and it’s an important part of who we are. But it’s only half the story.
There’s another, more direct way to know yourself. It’s called embodied self-awareness. This is the kind of knowing that comes from tuning into your body.
Every experience you have is filtered through your physical self. Your body is the lens through which you perceive the world. So, true self-knowledge must include the wisdom of the body.
Sensation and emotion are closely linked, but they’re not the same. Sensations are the raw, physical data your body provides. Think of warmth, tightness, tingling, or a sense of openness.
Your body uses specific senses to gather this information. Interoception, for example, is your awareness of your internal state, like a gut feeling. Proprioception helps you sense where your body is in space.
Emotions on the other hand are often your mind’s interpretation of these sensations. They can come with stories, memories, and meaning. But the sensation itself is a simple physical truth.
While your body offers direct, moment-to-moment feedback through sensation, your mind often pulls you into stories…Memories of the past or projections into the future.
These mental loops can drown out the quieter signals from your body. They can create noise and emotional tension that disconnect you from what’s actually happening right now.
This is where turning your attention to your body has a grounding effect. It brings you into the present moment. You can’t feel your feet on the floor yesterday or tomorrow, only now.
This shift can bring calm and clarity. It quiets the mental chatter and helps you see your situation with fresh eyes.
You don’t need any special tools to start listening to your body. Just a moment of quiet and a little curiosity. It’s a skill that strengthens with practice.
Tuning into your body’s wisdom isn’t a one-time fix. It’s an ongoing practice that can reshape how you live. It helps you move through life with more authenticity and ease.
When you can feel your body’s signals more clearly, you can respond to challenges with greater confidence. The communication pathway between your body and brain is your nervous system. Keeping this system healthy is essential.
Chiropractic care supports this connection by improving spinal mobility and nervous system function. If you’d like to explore this further, we’re here to guide you.
Ewell Chiropractic
9A Cheam Road, Ewell, Epsom KT17 1SP
Our practice is next to the central car park in the Ewell village if you travel by car. And just a 10-minute wander from both train stations in Ewell.
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