The Number 1 Thing You Need to Read This Year!
Recently I shared my top lessons from books I read in 2018.
Now that we are well into 2019 it's time to think about your reading list for the year!
My top read for the year is already picked out and I'm sharing it with you!
It can be read hands free, on the go, or in your spare time at home.
Bonus: We all love free stuff and this one is100% free!
Want to know what it is? Read on!
Read Your Body!
If you’re a bookworm like me you spend several hours reading for personal interest every week.
If you aren’t, you are probably spending plenty of time reading other people!
You read body language.
You read between the lines in conversations.
You read billboards and road signs and emails and text messages.
But, I bet you rarely read yourself!
The number one thing you need to read this year is your body!
What do I mean and how do you do it?
Why Read Your Body?
There are two reasons to read your body:
1. To catch disease early
Often times we are so busy in our day to day that we put ourselves last.
We put our effort into our work, our family, our friends and our households.
But, weeks and months and years can go by where we are unaware of our changing bodies.
Our bodies change and age slowly every day.
You don't notice your nails or hair lengthening in 24 hours, but untended to they would be out of control in a month or certainly in a year.
The same goes for our waistlines, our mental health and our physical health.
For example, monthly self-breast exam starts with knowing what your normal breast is like and catching a lump early.
Likewise, knowing your skin, nails, feet, thyroid and hair can help catch other health issues early can help you to be proactive in seeking care when your notice an unusual change.
2. For your mental health
Reading your body can also help your mental health. You can perform body reading as a mindful meditation to bring you back to the present moment and decrease stress.
How to Read Your Body
Before getting into the step by step instructions here are some basics:
Reading your body involves:
Taking the time the observe yourself
Becoming familiar with your current self
Coming to some conclusion in the end
To be successful you need some ground rules.
Be non-judgemental - reading yourself is not an exercise in depreciation and criticism
Be curious - like a baby discovering the control of their hands and feet for the first time
Be grateful - realize all that is unique and special and able
Location tips:
When you are first learning to read your body, find a quiet, safe place to sit or lie down. This will allow you to relax and focus. As you become more familiar with yourself, you may find you are able to do a body reading while on the go or in a stressful situation.
Step-by-Step Guide to Reading Your Body
Step 1
Find a quiet place to sit or lie down.
Step 2
Focus on one part of your body at a time.
Start with your toes and move upward to the top of your head.
Step 3
Like any good story you want the juicy details.
Use your senses to read each body part
We have several senses including touch, smell, sound, and sight.
So, starting with your toes:
How do they feel?
How do they look?
How to they move?
What colour, length and shape are the nails?
How do they smell?
Work your way up your body one body part at a time.
Try to do this non-judgmentally. Imagine you are a curious alien brought to earth to discover the extraordinary Homo Sapien. Or, as a baby discovering their own body for the first time!
Marvel at the ability your feet have to carry you.
Appreciate the mileage your knees have helped you to cover.
The ability of your hips to feel the rhythm of a song in your head.
Your abdomen to digest food to give you energy and eliminate waste.
Place your hand over your left chest and feel your heart beat. Appreciate that your heart beats without any conscious effort on your part.
Move your neck from side to side. Nod yes and no. Notice how nodding yes makes you feel a little more happy inside, and nodding no might make you feel a bit negative. Appreciate how what you do with your body signals the brain and vice versa.
Roll your shoulders. Notice your posture. Do you hold your shoulders high close to your ears? Do you slouch them forward? Or pull them back to stand proudly?
Open and close your mouth. Move your jaw side to side. Notice any clicking or tightness and how it feels the release tension there you didn't realize you had.
Notice if reading your body made you feel relaxed, more aware and in the moment, or more tense.
How Often Should You Read Your Body?
You can repeat this exercise as often or infrequently as you like.
The purpose is to bring more awareness to yourself.
At first you might like to repeat all or part of this exercise once a week, then once a month.
If you're likely to forget, schedule it in to your calendar.
When Should You Start?
The best thing you can do after reading this blog is take an action.
Even a micro action.
Just read the nail of your right pinky finger to start.
If your liked this exercise share it with your friends and family.
Don't forget to follow me for more helpful health and wellness tips.
