How to Use Your Body as an Ally in Learning to be Adaptable

As we all navigate so much change ahead, it will be critical to break down the silos in our own mind to stop the stories of the past that can sometimes sabotage us. We need to be able to listen to our body and what it is trying to tell us in order to be able to be more adaptable to all the changes we are experiencing.

How often have you been sitting at your desk trying to finish a project and unable to get the last bit of inspiration to do so?
Or feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do and all that is running through your mind that it feels exhausting and paralyzing?

With the speed of work and the speed of changes happening, I am hearing about this daily in working with clients. Going at this pace and not creating sustainable adaptable practices will create burnout, sickness and depression.

It is so important to begin to start listening to your body for clues when this starts happening.

Maybe it’s the tightness in your neck and shoulders, or the sick feeling in your stomach, or the sleepless nights of worry. Whatever it is – START LISTENING TO IT!!! Your body is giving you a clue to take a break, slow down, and let it go for the moment.

So how does one begin to practice these types of behaviors to create the shift into handling the changes at hand and demonstrating adaptability?

Here are a few ideas from clients I have coached over the years that may be helpful for you.

• When your head is controlling you – Stop, close your eyes and breathe. Practice nurturing self-talk: I will get it done; it’s okay to take a break and relax.
• I take 10-15 minutes to walk outside and get in the sunshine. I realized how much fresh air and getting away from desk creates a reset and refresh.
• When I look at my calendar and see all I have to do and start feeling either stressed out and my brain is going 90 miles an hour, or depressed when I see the calendar and wonder how I will get it all done, I look at a picture I have placed by my calendar that is funny or happy to change my mood. I get out of my head and make a quick shift; this visual queue helps me to refocus and think positive thoughts.
• When I feel so overwhelmed with all I have to do, I acknowledge myself every step of the way and give myself one chocolate kiss for completing that baby step. It motivates me to continue on and take a pause, enjoying the moment of that chocolate kiss.

Our thinking can control us in not being adaptable to changing our own patterns. The thought of “I don’t have time to take a break,” and thinking “It will take too long,” sabotages us. This controls the old pattern and behavior that doesn’t serve us.

Even if you just take 1 minute to breathe long and deep, you can shift your mental dialogue and create a more relaxed body to open to the energy and possibilities that are awaiting you.

I have heard repeatedly from clients that by incorporating listening to their body for clues to take a break supports their mind and energy in being more positive, productive, and creative. And it feels good too! Start a practice of listening to your body and then give yourself permission to take a break; it is an act of self-love and self-empowerment.