July 6, 2021
The Importance of Listening to Your Mind and Body
I do a lot of listening throughout the day. I listen to my coworkers when they’re frustrated, expressing ideas, or just wanting to catch up. I listen to my partner during her breaks in between clients at her therapy practice. I listen to my dog when she’s hungry or needs to go outside.
I listen to the coffee pot when it’s done brewing, the dishwasher as it runs through its cycles, and my neighbor’s children shrieking as they play outside during summer vacation. But what I don’t always listen to throughout the day is myself – to my thoughts or my body.
What it Means to Really Listen to Your Thoughts
It’s easy to listen to naturally pleasant sounds like the ocean, simply hearing and enjoying the sound of each wave in succession without going down a rabbit hole of thought. But on a normal day, at my desk, listening to my thoughts is a work in progress. When I’m experiencing the stressors and obligations of my workday, it’s easy to have thoughts that take me out of the present moment and cause me to spiral into either getting stuck in the past or worried about the future. And that’s a hard neighborhood to be in.
Through mindfulness, I’ve learned a few different skills to help me reconnect to myself:
- Checking in with my thoughts and how I’m feeling. Sometimes this means lifting my focus from my computer or my phone to the window to look outside, or getting up and going for a walk with mindful awareness.
- Observing my thoughts with curiosity. Rather than asking myself questions like, “why are you even thinking about this right now?” it serves me better to simply welcome and observe whatever thoughts come. When I choose to open the door, let my thoughts in, and make them feel welcome, I know that I can also choose when to politely show them the way out. And that makes it easier to accept their company.
- Gratitude. Having my momentum and focus disrupted by my thoughts can be annoying, but when I truly tap in and listen to them, I often realize that they’re trying to tell me something. My thoughts can be the first signs that I need a break, a hug, or that I need to have a meaningful conversation with someone, and those little gems of clarity have become so important in helping me take care of myself.
Bringing the Body into Mindful Listening
I’ve been a runner for the past few years, and although running has been a great way to improve my health and strengthen my body, I have a hard time accepting that my body does not perform at the same level every day. I want to always run at the pace I want to and for as long as I want to, and I want to be in control of when my run is finished.
But when I operate on my terms instead of my body’s, things can get a little dicey. I’ve nearly gotten heatstroke from ignoring what my body needs, not to mention overextending my muscles and nursing the soreness for days. There are consequences when I don’t listen to my body when I run, and the same is true when I put my needs on the backburner in my daily life as well.
Just like I need to be cognizant of when I am hot, dehydrated, and tired when I run, bringing that same awareness to my body throughout the day makes a big difference. Identifying when I’m hungry, sleepy, or just ready to tap out for the day and rest is one thing, but actually disengaging from work or other responsibilities to give my body what it needs is another daily lesson that I’m learning through mindfulness.
The Importance of the Word “Practice” in Listening to Your Thoughts and Body
I always want my daily mindfulness practice to be on point every single day. I want to be aware of everything I think and feel and always give my body what it needs, but accepting my humanness is also part of the process. Each day I set my intention to be mindful of what my mind and body are telling me, and I end the day proud of however many moments I am able to succeed, even if that simply means not getting heat stroke during a run.
If you’re looking to strengthen your own mindful listening skills, tune into:
Written by Becky Greiner