Healthly living is an ever evolving journey full of ups and downs challenges and triumphs. Be kind, be patient and be attentive, your body knows which path to take.
Stress! We all experience it, most of us battle through it, but how many of us take the time to consider the toll it’s taking in our body?
Stress manifests in obvious symptoms; raised heart rate, sweaty palms, knots in your stomach, anxiety, overwhelm & nausea. But have you considered the silent and lasting impact it may be having on your body? Inflammation, raised cortisol levels, depleted adrenals, spinal subluxations, poor digestion, hormonal imbalances, the list goes on.
Yesterday was a big wake up call for me. My body sent me a very loud and not so nice message about the silent impact stress had taken on my body. While the seemingly acute feelings of anxiety I have experienced in recent times had passed; the impact of my body’s overworked state is only now becoming apparent.
My body is tried, it’s still battling a virus I picked up weeks ago, my temperature is running hot and my adrenals are spent. Yesterday I went to my Doctor of Chinese Medicine for a check in. As we talked about how I was feeling, a wave of anxiety hit me; nausea, foggy-ness, headache, knots in my stomach, shallow breathing & it continued to build throughout our 10 minute conversation.
Janice saw the immediate change & stopped me in my tracks. She asked me to close my eyes, drop into my heart centre & tell her how old I felt. Straightaway I said “20”. She then asked what happened when I was 20, & I answered “I had chronic fatigue”.
As I verbalised it, the tears flowed. She responded, you are terrified you may end up back there aren’t you? My immediate answer was yes! And with that my body relaxed, my breathing settled & the knots in my stomach eased. The power of acknowledgment & listening to the desperate message my body was sending was undeniable. I had been pushing through for weeks (if not months) & my body was telling me it had nothing left to give.
Symptoms are your body’s way of communicating something is out of order. It’s our job to head the warning and take appropriate action. Our bodies are incredible, powerful and self regulating. The challenge we all face is learning how to listen better & nurture more!
Do you know someone suffering from chronic illness? In particular chronic fatigue syndrome. I’m always available to listen and I’m very willing to share my story and my road to recovery. Please reach out if you would like to chat.
