How to Listen to Your Body

The world is so fast and so loud. We overstimulate our bodies with addictive substances like caffeine and sugar to try to keep up, but these substances ultimately end up depleting rather than energizing us. Even those of us with healthier habits are often scrambling to find just the right mix of supplements, herbs, and foods to support an ultimately unsustainable lifestyle. What we really need is to just STOP and listen.

Among all the things the world is shouting about, what we should be eating and how we should be living are at the top of the list – only to find someone else declaring the opposite, and everything in between. Confusion abounds!

Meanwhile, our bodies carry a steady stream of wisdom beneath all the noise around us. When we take a moment to turn inward, we can start to understand what we truly need. We may encounter the answers to some of the questions we have about which foods, which herbs, and what amounts are right for us.

Easier said than done? Maybe. Or maybe it’s less complicated than it seems.

In this blog, we’ll share some practical pointers towards the quieter place within each of us, where we can follow our own internal guidance to a better rested and more nourished life.

But before we even get started with learning how to listen, it’s important to acknowledge that it’s a practice. The last thing we need is another loud voice demanding perfection or performance. Let's give ourselves a break. We work so hard and show up in so many ways, and aside from all that – we are human, we’re doing our best, and we deserve patience and compassion.

Did you know that our beliefs and behaviors literally create pathways in our brains, reinforced by repetition? And that some of these neural paths are imprinted from the time we are in the womb, inherited from our parents, whose parents passed them on to them (and so on, endlessly)? In other words – some of the patterns that live in us are very old and deeply imprinted.

But did you also know that our brains have neuroplasticity? Which means we can literally create new neural pathways to replace the ones that do not serve us. Repetition of behaviors – practicing -- literally deepens the grooves in our brains until they are our new habits. It may take some time, but how empowering to know we can rewrite our stories & pass these new pathways on to our children.

Let’s adopt this mantra as we move forward:

It’s a practice.

Now, let’s begin by receiving a breath (or several) -- and maybe even repeating our mantra. And this, my friends, is Step 1.

Before we move on to the next steps, you may be wondering about the amount of time this practice takes. You may feel like you don’t have time to add anything else to your already busy schedule, and that is valid. The good news is that any amount of time that works for you is enough. Even 10–15 minutes a week can go a long way when you keep at it. Our brains do respond well to consistency when it comes to making changes, so try to schedule a regular time for this, whether it’s every day, once or twice a week, or whatever works for you.

That said, remember that this is a process of creating new pathways in our brains, and that the more we travel those pathways, the more familiar and easy to follow they become. When we show up for ourselves, we grow our trust in ourselves, and this is where the magic happens.

Step 2. Listen.

(You may want to have a journal and writing utensil, or a voice recorder, handy to record anything that feels important.)

Sit or lay in a comfortable, supported position.

Notice whatever comes up, without trying to change it.

This may sound easy, but so often our internal critic shows up, wanting to judge and fix things, especially anything that feels uncomfortable. When and if this voice does show up, acknowledge it and signal that everything is okay by just staying present with what is. Of course, if you are experiencing pain, take care of it and make any changes that feel right.

Also, we are so accustomed to busyness and ignoring our body’s needs, that our minds may rebel against slowing down. It can be helpful to give our minds a task: slowly scanning each part of the body, from the crown of the head to the tips of the toes, noticing sensations and changes.

It's also normal to notice many things at the same time, or to feel unclear about what your body is telling you. No pressure. No need to achieve anything. This is a practice. You are showing up. This is enough.

If you could use some additional support finding quiet and calm within, our Anxiety Relief tincture may help calm the body and improve mental focus, and our Stress Less Guide offers a multitude of natural options for supporting your body through stress.

Step 3. Ask

Inevitably, we will notice parts of us that are wanting attention, whether that shows up as discomfort or any sensation that stands out, such as tingling or tightness. When this happens, stay with that part of you, focus your breathing and attention there, and ask (silently or aloud), “What are you wanting? What are you needing?” Then, simply continue listening.

It can feel challenging to listen without the expectation of a clear answer, but the more we can be with ourselves without pressuring ourselves, the more likely we are to begin to understand what our bodies are telling us.

Again: This is a practice. We are learning how to listen. We are learning what our body’s signals mean. Inevitably, we are building trust within ourselves as we begin to understand the language of our bodies. Be patient with yourself as you would with anyone you love learning something new.

And -- you may get impatient. You may give up the practice and return to it later. Go easy on yourself. You are human and you are doing your best.

The invitation is: Just keep showing up.

Step 4. Explore

Once you have begun to practice pausing, listening, and asking, you may feel ready to explore a little deeper. You may get a little more specific.

Perhaps you ask your body:

What does “yes” feel like? How about “no”?

After each question you ask, simply continue the practice of listening. Notice what arises. Do you feel any sensations standing out in specific parts of your body? Do you feel expansion or constriction? Lightness or heaviness? Energized or tired? You may even hear words that show up with what you’re feeling.

Return to the same simple questions repeatedly, until you know what yes and no feel like.

Go deeper as it feels right. What do you want to know? Ask. Listen. Record anything that feels important.

Step 5. Practical application

When you’re ready, try adding a few foods or herbs to the practice. You could even check in with your environment—sometimes a small tweak to your space makes a surprisingly big difference.

Have you heard conflicting opinions about the health benefits of a certain food or herb and been wondering what’s true? Of course, checking facts the best you can is always a good policy, and – especially when it comes to what you put in & on your body - it is crucial to check in with what is true for you. We've also put together an extensive library of resources to help you make choices that feel right for you.

At Earthley, we value each individual’s internal wisdom when it comes to our own bodies. You may have noticed that the instructions on some of our supplements include the invitation to try a certain amount & then gradually increase. One example is our Master Tonic, which states: Take 5-10 drops per day...Increase slowly if needed.

This is the perfect opportunity to practice listening to your body, following the steps outlined above, along with the formula you’re trying out.

So, with the supplement in hand:

Pause. Breathe.

Listen to whatever you notice within.

When you feel aware of your body, try the smallest recommended amount of the formula (or even less, if that feels right).

Ask: Is this right for me? Or; is this what I need?

Return to listening.

Notice: What is standing out? Is anything changing in your body? Do you notice any of the sensations associated with yes or no? If you notice a clear no, maybe this is not the supplement for you. It's okay to repeat the process until you feel clear, even if that means coming back to it later.

If you notice a yes, or a maybe, ask: Is this amount enough? (Listen) Would more be better? (Listen) Would less be better? (Listen)

You can use this process for pretty much anything—foods, drinks, supplements, lifestyle tweaks, whatever you’re wondering about.

If the signals are unclear, or confusing -- that’s okay! Practice. Take breaks. It’s not something we learn, complete, and move on from. It’s a practice we keep in our toolkit and return to again and again, as long as we have choices to make. Even as you learn to listen, many external voices continue to demand that they know what’s best for you. Remember that you are changing sometimes very old (and very loud!) neural patterning and creating a new way forward. You are showing up. You are inevitably getting better at listening to, hearing, and trusting your own internal voice.

It isn’t likely the world is going to slow or quiet down any time soon. Sure, we can find quieter places to spend time and if we’re lucky, we may even manage to live in them. But no matter what, much of the world is going to move fast, loudly demand a lot of us, and we’re going to interact with it. Which means our bodies & minds are going to be influenced in all sorts of ways, and it’s up to us to create the quiet we need in what is sometimes the only place we can – within ourselves. And from here, if we listen, there is no limit to what we can learn and how we can flourish.

Disclaimer - This blog post is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services and its statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider regarding a specific medical condition.