The way you listen to your body is just as important as the way you speak to it.
In our fast-paced world, we often focus on how we speak to ourselves—whether through self-talk, affirmations, or internal dialogue. While positive self-talk is undeniably important, there's another critical aspect of self-care that deserves our attention: how we listen to our bodies. From a trauma-informed lens, the way we tune into our body’s signals can be just as vital as the words we use to speak to it.
Understanding the Body’s Language
Our bodies are remarkable at holding onto memories and emotions, sometimes long after our minds have processed—or suppressed—them. For those who have experienced trauma, the body can become a repository for unresolved pain, stress, and tension. These physical manifestations often serve as signals, alerting us to the presence of deeper, unhealed wounds.
However, trauma can also disconnect us from our physical selves, making it challenging to recognize and interpret these signals. This disconnection is a protective mechanism, helping us survive in moments of acute distress, but it can become a barrier to healing if left unaddressed. The first step in reconnecting with our bodies is to listen—not just passively, but with active, compassionate attention.
The Importance of Listening with Compassion
Listening to our bodies involves more than simply noticing when something feels off; it requires us to approach our physical sensations with curiosity, patience, and kindness. For instance, when we experience tension, fatigue, or pain, these feelings are not just inconveniences to be ignored or pushed through. Instead, they are our body’s way of communicating that something needs attention.
From a trauma-informed perspective, this means acknowledging that our bodies may be carrying the weight of past experiences, and that these sensations are valid, even if they seem disconnected from our current circumstances. By listening with compassion, we create space to understand what our bodies are trying to tell us, without judgment or the need to "fix" things immediately.
Rebuilding Trust in Your Body
For many who have lived through trauma, trust in one’s own body can be a complex issue. Trauma often shatters the innate sense of safety and security that we’re meant to feel within our own skin. Rebuilding this trust is a gradual process, one that involves both listening to and speaking to our bodies with care.
When we tune in to our body’s signals, we begin to recognize patterns—when stress arises, when certain triggers cause discomfort, or when our body is asking for rest. Responding to these signals with kindness and appropriate action helps to reestablish a sense of safety and trust. It’s about creating a dialogue where our body’s needs are acknowledged, validated, and met with nurturing responses.
Speaking to Your Body with Care
While listening is crucial, the way we speak to our bodies is equally important. This means moving away from self-critical or harsh language and instead using words that convey respect, appreciation, and understanding. Speaking to our bodies with gentleness reinforces the trust we’re working to rebuild and fosters a deeper connection between our mind and body.
Healing is a Two-Way Conversation
Healing from trauma is not a linear journey, nor is it solely about changing the way we think. It’s about creating a harmonious relationship between our mind and body, where both listening and speaking play essential roles. By cultivating a practice of compassionate listening and kind self-talk, we can begin to heal the wounds that trauma has left behind.
Remember, your body has been your companion through it all, and it deserves to be heard just as much as it deserves to be spoken to with care. As you continue on your healing journey, embrace the art of listening to your body, and you may find that it has a great deal of wisdom to share.
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