Interpreting The Wisdom Of Our Symptoms

When you have experienced a symptom in your body, how have you interacted with that symptom? Did you feel like your body was betraying you or that you needed to do battle with that symptom or that your symptom was something that made you feel broken like you needed to be fixed?

Our symptoms actually have a lot of wisdom to offer us. If we view our symptoms as the enemy, it can make it harder to hear what our symptom is trying to teach us. Experiencing our symptoms as "bad" or "wrong" or the enemy that we have to do battle with can put our body into a fight or flight response. Healing can only occur when we feel relaxed and so releasing the perception that you having symptoms is a problem can actually be in service to the healing journey you're on.

Many of you know that I spent a very long time healing my digestive tract. It was only when I started to work with the symptoms showing up that some major progress on my healing path began. The digestive upsets I was experiencing were guiding me physically and emotionally in where I was being called to grow and evolve.

So how do we shift our relationship with our symptoms?

First, no matter what is showing up, start labeling it as not a problem. Your weight is not a problem. Your digestive issues are not a problem. Your acne, your sleep concerns, your energy levels, whatever else you're navigating, is not a problem. When we release the battle of fighting what is, you put the power back in you and less in the symptom or the habit. Again, the more relaxed we feel, the easier it can become to slow down and listen and be guided by the wisdom of our body.

Next, now that what you're going through is no longer a problem to be fixed (as you are whole and complete just as you are), ask that symptom, that habit, that body part what it is here to teach you. At first, you may not hear anything. Just think if we have been numbing out and shoving down our body's voice for 10, 20, 30, 40 years it might feel difficult to hear its whispers and it may need time to trust that you're going to keep showing up for it. If you don't hear or feel anything, let that part of you know you will be back to ask again.

When you have space and time to slow down again, ask again what your symptom is here to teach you and notice if you hear words, feel sensations, or notice if anything else arises. You may ask your body different questions around what it might be trying to tell you and you can notice your bodily reactions guiding you. You can also practice writing a letter as if you were that body part or habit that is grabbing your attention and explore in written word what that part of you has to say. Then you can explore writing a letter back to that body part or symptom just to practice opening the lines of communication.

When we befriend our habits, patterns, and symptoms, we're telling our body that it is our friend that we will show up for and listen to. Think of a friend who you feel like truly gives you space to feel safe and listens to you. This is how you will be making your body feel. This journey can take time and give yourself all the time you need. If you're ever looking for more support, reach out!