HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE INNER OBSERVER FOR WELL-BEING

In my article, "How Your Body Hijacks Productivity and Drains Your Energy", I delved into the body's automatic response to perceived threats and the resultant stress. This natural defense mechanism, while vital, can become a detriment in our fast-paced, high-stressed environments, especially for those in challenging management roles or juggling demanding personal responsibilities.

THE STRESS RESPONSE OR HOW COME IT HURTS SO MUCH?

When the body encounters what it perceives, thinks or feels is a stressful event, it instinctively triggers the fight, flight or freeze response, governed by the sympathetic nervous system. After the stressor passes, the body has an amazing ability to reset to the parasympathetic nervous system so all body functions can operate at optimal levels.

What doesn't happen naturally during the reset, though, is relaxation of the tension triggered during the sympathetic nervous system's activation. Tissues remain tight and become increasingly more restricted. This means oxygen and nutrients can't flow into tissues efficiently nor can cellular waste products easily transfer out.

Unless you consciously and deliberately release this residual tightness in BOTH the outer and inner parts of the body, toxins begin to accumulate.

The outer parts refer to muscles, joints and ligaments.

The inner parts - the parts we aren't normally aware of nor know how to access, have two aspects. The first is the physical component made up of your organs, deeper tissues and your cells. The second is the cognitive component made up of your thoughts and feelings. Your body triggers the sympathetic nervous system stress response AFTER you've consciously or unconsciously felt and thought whether a situation is threatening so we need to pay attention to them.

This build up of toxins over time results in people feeling aches, pains and stiffness. Then what do we do? We automatically further protect the affected areas by not moving them as much because - no surprise here - they hurt! Eventually the discomforts become chronic, slower to heal and transition into conditions and diseases...all because, without intervention, the body has an unconscious, automatic tendency to move toward toxicity.

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

It sounds trite, but the first step is awareness. I'm not talking about intellectual knowledge here. The awareness MUST be on a visceral level. We know when we're stiff or sore so we can choose remedial action that relieves tension in our muscles, joints and ligaments. Activities involving stretching, massage and hydrotherapy are some proactive examples.

But how do we know where tension is in our organs, inner tissues, cells, thoughts and feelings let alone how to effectively release it? How can we tune into this deeper level?

THE INNER OBSERVER

By accessing and nurturing our Inner Observer, we get to know the patterns driving our behavior and thoughts which enhances self-awareness and emotional intelligence. We can also develop a felt sense of where our energy gets stuck. When our mind and emotions are quiet, we're better able to identify the pluses and minuses, strengths and weaknesses, positives and negatives of a situation, and make more balanced, effective choices.

HOW TO ACCESS OUR INNER OBSERVER

1. Begin with deep, slow abdominal breathing through the nose. Hold for a couple of seconds then exhale quietly and slowly through the mouth for approximately twice as long as your inhale. Hold for a couple of seconds then repeat the breathing cycle. Continue the process for between five to ten minutes. Concentrate only on the sensations of the breath entering and leaving the body.
2. Stretch and gently move to release immediate and obvious tension in your neck, shoulders and arms as you continue breathing slowly and deeply. Focus on feeling of the muscles releasing tension. Observe how your body feels and moves. Do not correct, judge or criticize your body in any way. Just observe the sensations.
3. Continue inhaling and exhaling even more slowly and deeply, but change so you now breath in and out through your nose. Turn your attention inwards. Do not attempt to change, criticize or judge anything. Systematically scan your body for physiological signs of stress,. (My article "How Your Body Hijacks Productivity and Drains Your Energy" lists some of the more common signs). Once you've finished observing your body, review your thoughts, emotions and behavior patterns. Look for cognitive distortions and negative thoughts that increase your anxiety, sadness and fear or make you feel badly about yourself. Observe and note any insights to guide your future actions and responses.
4. When you're ready, gradually open your eyes and stretch a little. If you have the inclination and time, jot down your findings in a journal.
5. Implement an action plan to release the areas of tension you've just finished observing.
6. Performing regular Check-ins and Release is CRITICAL. Make it a habit to frequently assess and release tension. The more often you do so, the more benefits you will feel.

INTEGRATING THE INNER OBSERVER INTO DAILY LIFE

For those in demanding roles, recognizing and utilizing the Inner Observer can be transformative. It allows you to understand and manage your internal states better, leading to improved decision-making, reduced stress, and enhanced well-being. By regularly practicing stillness and self-observation, you can counteract the negative effects of accumulated stress and lead a more balanced and , fulfilling life.

LET'S CONNECT

If you want to learn more about a holistic and efficient practice for enhancing your energy, managing stress, increasing productivity while improving vitality and well-being, please visit our website www.enercalmholistic.com and fill out our Contact Us section. We look forward to helping you in your journey toward greater vitality.