Our physical compass during stressful situations—Are you checking in with your bodily sensations?

(Photo credits: @andreapiacquadio_ on Instagram)

Of the four bearings that can recall us back to our center during stressful times, the physical aspect of life is perhaps the most relatable one that connects us to feelings of home and safety. They are visible—we can see, touch and engage with them tangibly. It could be the house we live in, the city we spent our childhood in or the country we are from. Often their impact on us can be direct and obvious i.e., we can feel unanchored if we don’t have a stable place to call home.

It is not unusual for many of us to miss home when we have gone overseas for a long time. Sometimes we miss the food of our childhood. When we are away for a long period of time, having cherished things around us like a favourite cup, an old stuffed toy or a well-loved T-shirt, can remind us of familiar times, bringing us a feeling of safety and groundedness. In fact, just thinking about familiar places can contribute to our sense of stability and security, in part due to the release of oxytocin, and it can guide us back to our center when we feel lost.

Are you conscious of the bodily sensations you feel?

However, we may not always be able to control our physical environment. During such situations, our body is a physical aspect that can help to ground us. Our bodily sensations serve as a physical compass as well as an indicator of how our environment is affecting us. When we feel anxious, unsure or troubled, these emotions manifest in our body as shallow breathing, insomnia, and tension. Conversely, when we feel joyous, our muscles relax, our breathing deepens and we enjoy restful sleep. 

Often, we may experience these intense sensations and physiological responses without conscious awareness. In some cases, we may even choose to ignore or dismiss these signals. However, it is important to recognise that these bodily cues hold valuable intuitive wisdom, not only about our emotions but also about the impact of our environment on us. They represent our subconscious responses to the world around us. 

Our stress responses connects us to the world we live in

Consider the stress responses that often manifest in our bodies, such as a racing heartbeat, high muscle tension, and shallow breathing. These bodily reactions closely resemble the physiological changes observed in prey animals when faced with imminent danger from predators in the wild. This connection to our primal instincts highlights the relevance and power of bodily sensations. Our bodies are wired with these instinctual responses as a means of survival. Unlike humans, animals are very much intuned with their sensations because it is a matter of life and death.

While we live in a modern world and we may not be facing direct physical threats like wild animals, could these feelings indicate different kinds of threats and stressors in our environment—work pressure, relationship conflicts or financial concerns? Are you holding your shoulder in tightness right now as you are reading this? Is your breathing short and shallow or deep and full?

We have trained ourselves over the years to “ignore” our physical needs, that it is not unusual for us to be disconnected to ourselves. For example, when we are hungry, we delay our meals because we have a deadline to hit. When we feel tired, we push ourselves to stay awake because we need to clinch that sale. While discipline is important, taking it too exactingly, can result in prolonged stress and even physical health issues in the long run. 

Developing an intuitive kindness for ourselves

Why have we not developed an intuitive kindness by meeting our physical needs with curiosity? Even though discipline is important, surely it exists to be balanced with gentleness and compassion. By paying attention to our bodily signals, we gain valuable insights into our well-being and the impact our surroundings have on us. They serve as an early warning system, alerting us to potential sources of stress. 

By acknowledging and honouring the wisdom encoded in our bodily sensations, we can walk away from the stress of today’s materialistic lifestyle and begin on a journey to navigate life with greater resilience, balance and joy. The ability to work with our body rather than against it, with awareness rather than ignorance, as a cherished partner rather than a separate entity, is the start towards developing greater confidence, resilience and overall satisfaction during times of insecurity and stress. 

And if situations get difficult and all else fails, remember, the simplest way is just to take a deep breath, listen to the sound of your heartbeat and follow its pulse back to your own heart center.