COLUMNIST: JEN WILSON
My question to you is do you do that with your own body too?
So often I hear my clients make a complaint or comment on something that’s going on in their bodies - but they do not do anything about it. We bypass the vital information being shouted out from our bodies.
Whether it’s being thirsty, but not taking a drink. Needing the toilet, but holding on while you finish some other task. Having a cold, but pushing through. Aches and pains in our backs or knees and not going for a massage, or to a physio to get checked out!
There are many benefits to taking the time to listen and respond to what your body is telling you.
No one likes to ‘have’ to rest especially when they are in pain or there is a huge ‘to do’ list waiting in the garden or allotment. It is frustrating and potentially has a knock on effect on your mental health.
When you are listening to your body and responding to what you need, you are going to have overall better outcomes. It might be a better idea to sit with your feet up and enjoy a cup of tea while you look out the window at your garden for a bit than pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion trying to get everything done today.
If you are listening to your body and understanding that your posture needs some work then there are simple, easy movements that you can do to help.
First identify what is not feeling good in your body, and think about what you have been doing over the past few days.
If you have been sitting a lot, or have been down digging up the weeds, then you might be tense in your lower back. Doing movements to help relax those muscles could be more beneficial than trying to stretch them out more (they might be over stretched already).
If your neck and shoulder muscles are sore, again if you have been stooped over, or lifting heavy bags of compost, you might need to work on strengthening your back muscles and stretching out across your chest.
My invitation to you is to take some time, especially now before we go into the busier time in the garden to tune in and listen to what your body is telling you.
Do you need help? Reach out to me, I offer a free 15 minute 1:1 posture analysis call via zoom. We can have a quick chat about what’s going on for you and I can give you some pointers to help. Book your session here.
Jen Wilson is a movement and health rebel, obsessed with helping people look after their bodies in ways that work for them. With a BSc in sport and exercise science, and qualifications in pilates, yoga, meditation, massage, personal training, functional movement, and nutrition, Jen is top heavy on qualifications.
Jen has an allotment where she nurtures plants, and drinks gallons of herbal tea from blends she grows and makes herself.
You can follow more of Jen’s pilates, movement and meditation classes on her Instagram or You Tube page and find out more about the services she offers both in person, and remotely, on her website.