Everything that happens in our life has an impact on our bodies. Every experience, struggle, and challenge affects the future of our well-being and our society as a whole.
As we continue our series on our journey to wellness, we have already seen the connection between our past experiences to how we show up daily.
But did you know that our body's response to adversity affects our ability to plan for the future? And that our environment impacts our ability to execute that plan.
We often listen with our ears and we listen to others and outside sources. But the loudest and most unheard voice is our body. We force our bodies to tolerate and push through experiences and hardships that activate the flight/fight response every day. Not only does it cost us our health and well-being today but it robs us of our future and legacy.
The big questions now are what should we do to make sure that the health of our body is not sacrificed for future successes and achievements? How can we begin to remove the impact of past traumas on our bodies? How can we begin listening to the body and giving it what it needs before listening or giving to anything else?
Hard work isn't worth it if you are not well enough to experience and appreciate the impact. Our body decides the future.
So let’s walk through a few key things to honor the body!
Sleep. Studies show that getting enough sleep helps our brain function more effectively. Taking a power nap during a long busy day boosts your energy. In some parts of the US, it was common for kindergartners to have nap time in school. Why did we stop that? Why didn't it continue into adulthood? Naps are great for the body!
Drink. Water is a must! Constantly working overworks the body; causing dehydration. This can make us irritable, less focused, and unproductive, and lead to a shutdown of the brain and body.
Eat. Deciding what to eat plays a vital role in making sure that our body has the proper fuel. Limiting our intake of sugar, milk, and white foods can eliminate a lot of discomfort in the body. Our body needs nutrients that come from green foods.
Exercise. Experts recommend exercising for at least 150 minutes per week. Walking, running, biking, dancing, weight lifting, stretching, and hiking are the most common. Movement releases past traumas held in the body.
Stay Active. Choosing to actively use our strength in simple routines can make our blood flow. Moving more has great benefits for our bodies. Walking longer than usual or taking the stairs instead of the elevator is an option.
Maintain. Taking charge of our body is our responsibility. The relationship we have with our physical body is a direct correlation with the relationship we have with ourselves. This influences the relationships we have with each other.
There are many things that affect our physical body. Our choices can lead to good health or impede our wellness but what's most important is to learn how to listen to our body and give it exactly what it is telling you it needs. The body you have now is the one you will have in the future. Its condition in the future is determined by what you do today.
Note* - The activities mentioned above are a few high-level recommendations. However, it's important to acknowledge that both past and present trauma have an even greater impact on the body, which is why at BYE we help leaders and organizations become trauma-informed certified to reduce workplace trauma and prioritize wellness.