Written by Even though I am a dietitian and spent a couple of decades running my own fitness business, I am not one to follow health trends.
I’m not interested in counting macros, avoiding carbs, doing intermittent fasting, or drinking protein shakes or energy beverages. I also don’t follow any workout advice that is primarily focused on the goal of getting a six-pack. I’m more interested in being fit enough to hike, bike, and carry my grandson up a flight of stairs. (For the record, I’m not opposed to looking fit, but given my love of food and ice cream, I’m content with having a two-pack. That’s about as “sculpted” as I’ve ever been.)
My simple health routine has not waivered for decades: I eat fresh, wholesome food whenever I’m hungry; I stop eating when I feel comfortably full and exercise daily for mental and physical health.
Oh, and I eat ice cream…
On repeat..
Until summer is over.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I eat ice cream daily or binge on it. Because I’m in tune with my body, I won’t eat ice cream if I’m too full or if I’m too cold, for that matter. (Ice cream is more of a summer thing for me.) I also rarely eat ice cream that I don’t love. What’s the point of that?
However, a perfect scoop (preferably with sprinkles!) when I’m in the mood brings me pure, unadulterated joy. This joy is one of the byproducts of being in tune with your body. Note: This hits much differently than ice cream consumed as an “emotional bandaid” to cope with difficult feelings. There is no guilt hang-over.
When was the last time you experienced joy when you ate? I’m willing to bet that it wasn’t when you grabbed something to quickly consume on your morning commute or ate while scrolling mindlessly on your phone. Perhaps that kind of eating is your norm. If that is the case, you may not fully appreciate why eating joyfully is a thing. After all, isn’t food just food?
If you believe that eating is nothing more than putting fuel in your tank, then yes, food is just calories to make your body run. However, if you can slow down enough to physically and emotionally nurture yourself, you will begin to learn how to operate as the integrated being you were designed to be. Our bodies aren’t meant to operate disconnected from our souls.
Unfortunately, few people truly understand that. Many treat their bodies like slaves to be mastered or obstacles to be overcome rather than as living, breathing temples of the Holy Spirit. If that is you, I want to encourage you—there is a better way!
“I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2
You may ask, “What does it look like to be integrated within your body and soul?” Here are a few indicators:
- You are aware of your hunger and choose to feed yourself accordingly so that you rarely overeat.
- You are aware of how food feels in your body and choose to eat what tastes and feels good rather than adhering to rigid food rules or eating without care.
- Eating and moving your body bring you joy, not guilt or shame
- Your primary motivation for exercising is that it feels good and improves your mental and physical health rather than because it affects your external appearance.
- You don’t feel compelled to eat “fun foods” (like ice cream!) just because they’re in the house.
- You can adjust your exercise routine to accommodate how you feel. For example, if you have a low-energy day, you might walk or stretch instead of running or another high-intensity alternative.
- You are at peace with your body (even if you are working to correct past neglect or imbalances.)
- You are generally aware of your emotions and can process and regulate them without shutting down or disassociating.
Although this is not a comprehensive list, I hope it gives you an idea of what it might be like to be in tune with your physical and emotional needs.
Remember, you are so much more than a body! As a temple of the Holy Spirit, you are meant to experience the gift of joy as you operate in your original design.
If the above doesn’t feel like your experience, what do you do if your body-soul connection needs work?
The first step is to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You can’t fix what you aren’t aware of.
- Take a week to notice your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. I highly recommend writing down your observations as a scientist would. Try not to judge yourself; be curious and kind instead. As the week goes on, you might observe that you rarely have food with you when you’re hungry or that you tend to experience guilt when you eat certain foods. Perhaps you will become aware of demeaning thoughts that come into your head when you look in the mirror or an ambivalence about going to the gym. Again, try not to criticize yourself—just notice and record your observations.
- Look over your observations and circle the ones that you want to change. I encourage you to ask God to help you with this process. He knows the areas where you are disconnected or have developed unhelpful beliefs or habits that need to be healed.
- Ask God to help you uncover the roots of your highlighted observations: Spend time asking open-ended questions to explore what might keep you from physically and emotionally nurturing yourself. What beliefs may be hindering good self-care? What emotions tend to trigger unhelpful behaviors? For example, you may have observed that you experience fear when you think about eating dessert, so you try to never eat sweets. Ask God to show you what belief causes you to feel fear. (If I eat dessert, I will get fat.) What do you believe about yourself? (I don’t have any self-control with sweets.) What do you believe about that food? (Sugar is bad.) Is that belief true? What is God’s truth? Write down what you see, sense, or hear. Ask God to help you see this issue from His perspective moving forward.
- Commit to slowing down to listen to what your body is telling you. Rather than defaulting to disassociation or rigid rule-following, notice how different foods feel in your body and what kind of movement your body needs to feel good. When you notice certain emotions pop up, ask your body what it needs. For example, you might notice that you crave certain foods in response to an emotional trigger, such as loneliness. Instead of running for chocolate, ask your body what it needs instead. (Dark chocolate does have some health benefits, but making loneliness go away is, sadly, NOT one of them.) Expect to make mistakes along the way. It takes time to be in tune with what’s happening inside and learn how to care for yourself.
- Reach out for help. The journey of reconnecting your body and soul is often challenging, and it usually helps to have someone to guide you. The simple fact is that we don’t see ourselves or our subconscious beliefs objectively. A counselor or coach sees you differently and helps you find those hidden beliefs that cause problems. He or she will walk with you through the process I’ve described above, guiding you through the tough spots and celebrating your successes with you.
Don’t waste any more time living disconnected from yourself. Joy is waiting for you!
Exciting Announcement!! I will be hosting a free workshop-EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS-for all my paid subscribers on Saturday, September 28, at 9:00 am Mountain Time. THANK YOU for your support and encouragement. If you are considering becoming a paid subscriber, this is a good time to do it! The workshop is valued at $150 but free for paid subscribers