Trust Your Gut

Trust Your Gut

Many times when I am reading, my client will tell me they had or have a gut feeling about something, but ignored it. So how can we learn to trust that powerful gut feeling? Firstly, did you know the brain and gut are intimately linked so it’s worth listening to that gut feeling when it occurs. From spotting danger to detecting stress, our humble guts are powerful, sometimes life-saving messengers. Many experts believe we would do well to actually listen to our bodies. Good decision making is about learning to trust your instincts and feelings.

These days, in the age of the internet, it’s all too easy to have too much information, resulting in analysis paralysis. You can’t make a decision as you’re stuck trying to digest all the information available. However, if the big picture is clear enough then decide from the big picture. Sometimes you don’t need a mental magnifying glass. However, learning to listen and to trust takes practice, but in time it can be a valuable guide.

We can develop our gut instincts in a couple of ways. We assume we should make decisions with our brains, but actually our bodies are great decision makers too! Choose a situation in which you’re wavering between two options. Think about one side of the decision; for an example if you’re having doubts about work, think to yourself “I want to resign and find a new job,” and imagine you have made that decision. Whilst thinking this notice the sensation in your gut. Do you feel a tightening or a gripping?  Or a softening, spacious warmth? Do you feel comfortable or uneasy? Now shift to the other side of the issue. Think “I want to stay in my job,” and imagine you have done so. Again, tune in to how your gut feels and what kind of thoughts arise. You may not get a definite answer at first, but the more we practice and listen to our bodies the more you develop clear gut sense. It’s not about right and wrong; it’s simply about what decision feels right for you.

Gut feelings also help you work out whether a person or situation is good or bad for you. Try thinking back to a time when someone or something made you upset. Recall that difficult experience and notice what is happening to your body. Are you feeling tensed and uncomfortable? Is there a knot in your stomach or a lump in your throat? Practice being aware of how your body reacts physically to thoughts and situation and although you don’t have to act on them, these are important signals.

The gut is also an important barometer of stress. Next time you feel anxious or uneasy try a visual exercise. Find a memory that is special to you. Whatever comes to mind, focus on the detail that makes the memory meaningful. Picture the sounds, the colours, the textures and the smells. As you visualise this happy time or place, feel your gut becoming softer and your body more relaxed.

Hope you found this useful and interesting

With Love,

Jasmine - 600595