Listen up, your body has something to say
Ever since I took a biology class in middle school and an anatomy class in high school, I was hooked on science and especially the science that took place in our bodies. I was fascinated by the thought of cells responding to a cut on your skin to begin healing and repair. I was intrigued by the thought of our DNA and recessive genes. I loved learning that our wingspan is equivalent to our height. And I soaked up the information about how our body processes and digests food, starting with our mouth.
In several more biology and anatomy classes through high school and college, I learned more and more about how brilliant our bodies’ mechanics are. Left to their own devices, our bodies are capable of daily processes that we don’t even think about, and often times take for granted. Digestion is one of those processes I didn’t think about much when I was younger, but now think about on a daily basis. When we chew and swallow our food, it shoots down some tube in our body that helps us use the food for energy, right? Right. But there is so much more to it than that. After being diagnosed with a dairy allergy 19 years ago, I started to respect my body more, and listen to its words of wisdom as it said to me: Do not eat that yogurt. Stay far away from the ice cream. Pizza is not your friend. That cereal likely has dairy lurking in it…
I started to really appreciate my body and the messages it would send me to keep me healthy. As annoying and uncomfortable as stomach discomfort was for me after eating dairy, it was my body’s way of raising a red flag and telling me what to do, or what not to do. Genius! Our body is so darn smart and sends us messages to stay well all day every day. For example, it signals us when we need more nourishment by sounding a grumbling in our tummy, and alerts us that we’ve had enough to eat by sending a signal of satiety to the brain.
It’s so important to listen to our bodies to hear loud and clear what message they’re sending us. So often we look for quick fixes to help us reach our health goals, or shortcuts for a healthier life. These only drown out the messages our bodies are sending us. By being more in tune to our body and its wisdom, we will be healthier as a result.
Be well!
Janel
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Jun 23, 2011 @ 07:48:35
Sounds like we are on the same wavelength Janel!
Jun 23, 2011 @ 10:14:12
I was thinking recently I should take an anatomy class, which I never have. It seems like it should really be a required class for everyone on earth!
Jun 23, 2011 @ 10:29:54
I agree! I think our bodies are so smart and can tell us so much.