These past few weeks have been interesting, exhilarating, and frustrating.
I decided to do something new – hold a webinar and share some amazing ways to reduce anxiety IN THE PRESENT MOMENT.
And while I prepared for that, my body did some interesting things:
It became more tense.
It wanted carbs.
It decided it needed sugar.
It did NOT want to exercise.
It did not rest well.
Why did my body do that?
Because my MIND was busy with tension-producing thoughts that I was not heeding. I was mentally preparing a webinar on reducing anxiety, while ALSO mentally PRODUCING anxiety-like symptoms in my body.
AFTER the webinar was over and I took stock, I realized a few things:
When doing something new, I need to prepare both mentally and emotionally.
I need to have a conversation with myself about how I can be better prepared for when my body moves into old coping habits. I need to journal my experience so that I can externalize it BEFORE I go into it. This gives me more clarity and more options about how to respond, rather than how to react.
What will I tell myself when my body wants carbs and sugar?
I know you are telling me something because I no longer use food to cover up my emotions. What are you trying to say? Ahhh, you are concerned that you will not produce a good product.
Is it your habit to produce a shoddy product? No. Is it likely you will do so this time? No, because I will not stop until I am satisfied with the product.
You are concerned that no one will show up.
What have you done to invite people? (Explain) Have you done what you could? Yes. What do you do with it then? Leave it with God. Has God proved faithful? Yes. Will you leave it with Him? Yes. How? I will put it in my basket of prayers and hold it up for Him to take it.
You are concerned that you will not be ready on time
What will you do to ensure that you complete the project by the date? I will begin today and map out the structure for the week. OK. Let’s get started.
Nurture Your Body – Honour the Work It Is Doing For YOU!
Remember to use your skills.
I KNOW how to talk myself through an issue IF I am aware of what the issues are and IF I take the time to do it.
I did not do this process this past week, and my body PROTESTED LOUDLY!!!!
And because I did not follow my own process of taking a moment to journal my thoughts and acknowledge my feelings that were CLEARLY showing up in the tension of my neck, back, and fingers, my body is not paying for it.
Reward Your Body for Holding the Emotion
Now that I have journaled, I am off to massage. My body needs more relaxation than I can give it through stretching.
And the next time I do a presentation, I WILL journal my feelings and thoughts and listen to my body. I will nurture my body, mind, and emotions. I will stretch, eat well, and remember why I am doing this…
Because I am WORTH IT!!!!
How will you process your emotions during difficult times? How will you remind yourself that you have value?