Today we ask that you become very conscious of what your body is doing.

Many people are somewhat numb, or asleep, around their bodies.  As a result, often they do not notice that anything is amiss with their bodies until a serious disturbance develops — illness, injury, chronic pain, fatigue, and so on.

In truth, most bodies give plenty of warning before a serious disturbance develops.  Minor aches and pains, indigestion, sluggishness, insomnia, anxiety, depression, nervous tension, irritability — all these indicate that something is amiss.  

Obviously almost everyone experiences such symptoms.  They are considered par for the course in your modern stressful reality.

But it really might be helpful to view these symptoms not as the standard modern maladies that everyone takes medications for, but rather a sign that there is something amiss.  Your body is waving a flag at you.  It is trying to get your attention.  When you ignore it, or just stifle the symptoms, naturally its only course of action is to get louder — i.e., precipitate a health crisis.

Your body wants to be in good health, you see.  Its nature as an organism is to be self-correcting and self-healing.  When you cut your finger, it heals.  When you strain a muscle, it heals.  So: your body is always looking for ways to heal.  But people unfortunately have a tendency to give their bodies a very hard time.

Human bodies are not meant to sit in office chairs staring at computer screens for hours at a time.  If you do this, of course problems will arise!  Human bodies are no different from animal bodies.  They are not designed for office chairs.  They are meant to move, and run, and stretch.  They require a lot of sleep, and rest.  They require nourishing food.  It isn’t rocket science, understanding this.

If you must work in front of a computer, please give yourself frequent breaks.  Set a timer, if necessary.  Really, you should not be seated for more than twenty minutes at a time, maximum.  Less is even better.  Take breaks.  Get up.  Stretch.  Touch your toes.  Take deep breaths.  If you are familiar with yoga or other physical movement systems, like tai chai or qigong, run through a quick series of exercises.  This simple practice will benefit you immeasurably.

In addition, please give your bodies a regular, stable, non-stressful physical exercise practice that feels good and nourishing.  Do not be punitive with your body.  This is not about starving yourself or proving that you’re a superhuman.  This is purely about honoring your body’s natural needs, and feeling very good.

Pay attention to how your body responds after eating food.  You may notice that certain types of food make you feel cloudy-headed, and sluggish, or give you indigestion.  If so, please consider altering your diet.  There are so many resources currently available in terms of guiding people toward more nourishing eating choices.

Please listen to your bodies at the “waving a flag” stage.  Don’t ignore your body.  The warnings will keep getting louder.  Your body gives you warnings because it wants to heal, and it wants your help.  Please listen to it.