While “trust your gut” is most commonly associated with intuition, the health of your entire body can also be determined by the health of your gut.
Listening to your gut has more to do with having a periscope on your entire body, through a strong mind-body connection, than literally trying to translate the audible gurgles and rumbles that come from the belly.
Often, the gut sends cries for help by manifesting minor digestive issues or major gastrointestinal conditions because of physical or emotional blockages. If you are feeling stuck in negative emotional patterns or are physically “backed up” in your digestive system, acknowledging this and working to release the blockage mindfully can get life moving again for you.
Feel, Sense and Observe to Get Connected
A strong mind-body connection is important for many reasons, but especially your health. When you can allow your mind to observe the body objectively, you become more connected and it’s easier to detect anything that is out of the ordinary, physically and emotionally.
A great way to get connected to your body is to pay attention to what you normally feel. Does your stomach hurt after eating one of your favorite foods? Are you ignoring stomach pains or grumbles because you think it’s normal?
To strengthen your mind-body connection, stimulate your intestines and get rid of any lingering toxins,
try this Intestine Exercise and be mindful of how you feel before, during and after. Remember to observe objectively and allow any gas, grumbles, heartburn, or cramps to come and go without judgement.
Release Emotional Stowaways
Emotions also play a huge role in the energetic health of the intestines and gut. Energetically, unaddressed emotions can wreak havoc on your health even if you have a perfectly balanced diet and exercise regularly.
Emotion = energy in motion. When your emotions root themselves into your energetic body they become stagnant, and physical symptoms are not far away. Release these emotions mindfully by consciously
moving your body with anything that helps you feel what's in your belly such as intestine exercises, loving self-massage, dance or yoga.
As you feel your gut, take note of any physical discomfort, emotional pains, stuck memories, regret or feelings of loss. Acknowledge their presence and release them with gratitude. Fill the new space with fresh breath,
love and the strength to open yourself fully to the universe's wisdom.
Nourish Your Body with Fresh Food
You gain energy from the foods you eat. Eating a lot of unnatural or processed foods will slow your digestive system down and allow toxins to linger and inflame the gut lining.
To determine which foods are causing pain or discomfort, try an elimination diet, go organic, experiment with trial and error, or eat only fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies. Again, observe objectively and take note of how you feel during the entire process.
Treat
eating like it's a ritual. Really place your attention on the meal, eliminating distractions like the TV. Express gratitude for the food you have and appreciate the journey it took to reach your plate; infusing the food you chew with a grateful attitude and good intentions will help your gut absorb and utilize the nutrients from your food.
YooHoo, Look at Your PooPoo
Everybody poops. Ok there, now we’ve said it…let’s move on.
Your bodily waste can be one of the main indicators that something is wrong in your digestive system. From the frequency to the consistency and smell, there is a lot of information in your stool.
Keeping a bathroom journal may sound like the weirdest thing you could do, but by keeping track of your visits to the “John” you can determine what is normal for you. As you go through a diet change or if you are experiencing abdominal pain, your poo can be your best benchmark to determine an intestinal imbalance.
Overall, it is important to approach digestive issues with care and mindfulness. Be aware of any changes in your body and recognize the connection to how you feel and what you eat.
The gut has a lot of wisdom to impart if we just listen.
Have you learned to listen to your gut? Tell us how what you discovered and how your life changed!