The "Wisdom of the Body"

Being “in tune” with our emotions means listening to the wisdom of our bodies. Despite significant advancements in psychology and neurobiology, we still struggle to fully grasp how feelings emerge from our subconscious into our conscious awareness.

We might understand some biological processes that contribute to feelings such as hunger, but the exact mechanisms that create conscious experiences remain elusive. Our bodies possess an intrinsic wisdom, a kind of primal intelligence that signals our needs and desires at the right moments. Hunger, for instance, isn’t something we choose to feel; it arises spontaneously, directing us to seek nourishment.

Modern Society’s Disregard for Bodily Wisdom

Contemporary culture often encourages us to suppress or ignore our feelings. While our bodies strive to communicate through sensations, these signals frequently clash with the demands of modern life and societal expectations. Consequently, we may override these feelings, a process we refer to as “willpower,” “self-control,” or “emotional regulation.”

Consider the typical 9-to-5 workday—a model that promotes productivity for eight hours, excluding commuting time. Historical evidence suggests that our hunter-gatherer ancestors only required 2-4 hours of labor each day to satisfy their basic needs. This aligns with studies on Ultradian cycles, which indicate that humans perform optimally for about 90 minutes at a time.

Thus, the expectation to work excessively leads to boredom, fatigue, and burnout. Our bodies signal the need for rest and recreation, but societal norms compel us to ignore these cues. It’s no wonder that around 85% of American adults rely on caffeine daily to mask feelings of tiredness and distraction.

This disassociation manifests in various ways:

• Experiencing pain? Reach for a painkiller instead of addressing the root cause.
• Want to achieve a specific appearance? Follow strict diets that ignore your body’s hunger signals.
• Feeling lonely? Distract yourself with social media or dating apps.
• Feeling unfulfilled? Turn to binge-watching shows or gaming for immediate gratification.
• Feeling sad? Men are often taught to suppress these emotions, while women might be encouraged to seek therapy, reinforcing societal norms around emotional expression.

Emotional Intelligence in Decline

As we become increasingly adept at managing our emotional expressions and adhering to societal expectations, we paradoxically lose touch with our capacity to trust our feelings as a means of connecting our mind and body. We grow wary of positive emotions and avoid negative ones, leading to a suppression of our emotional spectrum.

Reconnecting with Our Emotions

Living in accordance with modern standards often leads to mental and physical health challenges. To truly thrive, it’s essential to reconnect with our feelings. This process involves embracing and expressing the full range of our emotions, confronting what we typically avoid, and allowing our body’s signals to guide us.

Engaging in physical activities can be particularly beneficial, as these practices require a collaboration between our mind and body, bridging the widening gap created by modern living.

Initially, this journey may seem daunting, as it necessitates unlearning trauma responses and societal conditioning that have led us to distrust our feelings. However, by courageously engaging with our emotions and finding healthy ways to express them, we can move towards a more authentic existence that fosters well-being, even amid a disassociated world.

This video, "Mental Health & Rewiring the Brain" by Barbara O'Neill, delves into how understanding our emotional states can help us rewire our brain for better mental health.

The second video, "Somatic Modeling and Accessing Somatic Intelligence in Coaching," explores how somatic practices can enhance emotional intelligence and coaching effectiveness.