Learning to work with your body instead of fighting against it is an essential aspect of neural retraining that’s often overlooked. This involves shifting from a mindset of fear, self-criticism, and frustration to one of compassion and understanding. In this newsletter, we’ll look at what it means to work with your body in neural retraining and I’ll provide some practical tips.
In the past, my approach to taking care of my body was rooted in dissatisfaction and frustration. I constantly tried to make my body get in shape, lose weight, and fix its problems. Then especially when my symptoms increased, I became even more frustrated and felt like my body had betrayed me. This led to an ongoing push to force my body to do more, resulting in a feeling like life was a constant battle.
The harder I pushed, the more frustrated I became when my body didn’t meet my expectations. This negative mindset not only strained my physical well-being but also kept my limbic system in a heightened state of stress and anxiety. The limbic system, responsible for our emotional responses and stress regulation, became overactive, perpetuating a cycle of negative thoughts and feelings towards my body. This made it even harder to heal, as my body was constantly in a state of fight or flight.
When I started my neural retraining program, I knew that things needed to change. I learned to sit with my body from a place of love and self compassion, and ask, “What does it need?”. This practice of tuning in and listening to my body’s needs became a cornerstone of my healing journey. By doing this, I calmed my overactive limbic system, which helped reduce the stress response and allowed my body to enter a state more conducive to healing.
Sometimes, my body needed movement to feel energized and alive. Other times, it required rest to recover and rebuild. By learning to listen to these needs and honoring them, I began to support my body in a way that fostered trust and healing. This shift not only improved and resolved my symptoms but also strengthened my overall well-being. Instead of arguing or forcing my body or getting frustrated, I started to work with my body as a partner in my recovery.
Working with your body in neural retraining can take several forms:
- Practicing Mindful Awareness: Start by becoming aware of your old habits and patterns of behavior. Ask yourself, “What does my body need right now?” and “How can I support my body in its healing work?” This practice helps you tune into your body’s signals.
- Engaging in Compassionate Self-Talk: Replace critical self-talk with compassionate and supportive language. When you catch yourself being harsh or judgmental, gently redirect your thoughts to be kinder and more understanding.
- Balancing Movement and Rest: Listen to your body’s cues and provide it with what it needs, whether it’s gentle movement, stretching, or simply resting.
- Nourishing Your Body: Feed your body nourishing foods that make you feel good. Choose those that support your healing because you love your body, not because you feel you have to.
- Incorporating Self-Care Rituals: Engage in practices that promote relaxation and well-being. This could be anything from taking a warm bath, meditating, spending time in nature, or having a warm conversation with a good friend.
- Expressing Gratitude for Support: View your healthcare providers with gratitude, recognizing them as partners in your healing process. Remember, you are in control and can choose the providers and supportive therapies that feel right for you.
- Finding Joy in Movement: Choose activities that you enjoy. Instead of seeing exercise as a chore, view it as a fun and joyful way to connect with and celebrate your body.
Trusting your body is crucial in the healing process. Recognize that your body is working hard to heal and that your role is to support it with patience and compassion. It’s not about forcing results but rather about creating a nurturing environment where healing can naturally occur.
Healing from chronic illness through neural retraining and self-compassion is possible. By shifting from a place of fear and criticism to one of compassion and understanding, you can work with your body to support its natural healing process. The limbic system, which responds to old patterns of fear with heightened stress and anxiety, begins to calm with this new supportive mindset. This creates a deep sense of trust and partnership with your body and allows your body to respond with resilience, strength, and healing.
If you would like to learn more about neural retraining, or if you have questions about your neural retaining practice, feel free to reach out. I offer a free 30 minute discovery session and I’d love to meet with you.
I’m here to support you on your path to wellness so you can create a balanced state where true healing can take place.
