What would happen if some people ate when they were hungry, exactly the amount that their body wanted and not the amount their mind considered to be appropriate? Would weight be less of an issue? What would happen to people's bodies if they took the time to eat in a reverent and dignified way, slowly, appreciating each mouthful and enjoying the taste instead of shoveling the food in as fast as possible? Would they be able to "hear" the body say "enough!", when enough had been consumed?

Many people eat on the run or in front of TV and only "hear" the "enough" signal long after it has come…. when they have already overeaten and are now uncomfortably full. Many people eat because it is lunch time and not because they are hungry. Some skip lunch, because they are too busy to eat and then when their sugar levels are well below normal, rush for a "quick fix": something sugary and "uplifting" and then feel good for a while until they get crashed down when the body has responded to the sugar spike by releasing insulin to remove the sugar from the blood. After the insulin release, all the sugar is up-taken from the blood and the tiredness of the sugar low returns. How would it be if more people had a constant source of high energy? Would it be possible for more people to "hear" the first call for nourishment, to respond with a healthy salad or sandwich, which they would eat slowly? This would mean that they were respecting the body's needs as being as important as any other responsibility in their lives Could the cycle be avoided and the health maintained instead of undermined?
Many people eat because they are tired, sad, bored, fearful or lonely among other reasons. This is an inappropriate way to treat any one of these feelings. Since eating can not possibly assist, satiation will never be found. If food is being used to provide for needs other than hunger, then satisfaction can not be achieved. It is possible that this inappropriate response to the sensing of needs adds to the disconnection of the mind and the body. It may lead to ill health, imbalance, obesity, depression and other expressions of the pain or conflict attached to the unfulfilled need or overpowering emotion. Could it be that more people should strive to reconnect with their needs and emotions and consciously satisfy them in a meaningful way, rather than allowing the subconscious to attempt to meet the need? A subconscious meeting of needs may lead to disconnection from feelings. It leads to an absence of conscious choices. It may lead to physical expression of emotional needs in the form of pain or ill health. Thoughts and emotions are energy. Energy can not be created or destroyed, we know this from science. So if emotions or thoughts are not allwed to complete themselves then that energy that they are is suppressed or "swallowed". The suppressed energy must change form eventually when the body can no longer hold it, it changes form into diseases, pain or a physical manifestation of itself. this may be a tight muscle or other soft tissue structure or it may be an inflammation, sickness or body change.

 Many people for example have unresolved anger and conflict which they have shoved into the back of their minds, far from the public eye and from their own view of themselves. This anger may be associated with a sense of being unsupported. This anger may show its presence in the form of back ache or butt' pain. This pain may become chronic back pain if the underlying issue remains un-dealt with. It may resolve even if only temporarily as the slow down enforced by the acute pain forces some quiet contemplation, and possibly some breakdown of defense mechanisms or some reception of the needed support. If the core issue remains unsolved then possibly the pain may remain or recur. This does not mean that the pain is psychological, there might be definite physical pathology to explain the pain. There is however no explanation for why the immune system is unable to heal this specific injury. Injury and healing is an ongoing cycle in the human body. The human immune system is able to heal almost anything. Its function can be disabled by emotional stress and restrictions.

So could it be of value to try to become more in touch with your feelings and emotional and physical needs so that you can resolve pain and stress before it damages your body? Could you try to respond to the stimuli from your body appropriately? See what happens if when you are hungry, you eat slowly and reverently. When you are thirsty, you drink cool, sweet, cleansing water. When you are tired, you sleep. When you are lonely, you acknowledge how you feel, understand why and call someone or reach out to someone you can trust to meet your need of human comfort. See what happens if when you are bored, you get stuck into something that challenges you… just start! When you are hurt, you allow yourself to experience the pain, acknowledge it and do not shy away from it. See how it would feel to cry so that the tears pour out the pain, really get it out of your body. See what would happen to your anger if you allow it to exist and express it, punching something, screaming, shaking something, stamping, running, talking about it expressing it exactly as it feels, just getting it out of your body.

If it is available for you try to retune the microphone so your body has a voice and a language you can hear and speak. Trust in the infinite wisdom of every cell of you entire body and try to stop undermining something that should work perfectly.

Written by: Sue Fuller-Good (MSc Physio WITS) Physiotherapist with a special interest in the mind-body connection