Your body speaks. Can you understand what it’s saying? If so, you have good body awareness. In a fast-paced world where we do many things on autopilot, it’s harder to notice the signals our body sends. And believe me, it does this all the time.
However, it is necessary, and possible, to develop mechanisms to improve your body awareness. After all, to have a surreal life, understanding body language makes a difference, we can avoid problems and have incredible experiences.
Don't know where to start and still don't understand what body awareness is? By the end of the article you will understand and be inspired to change your relationship with your body.
What is body awareness?
Body awareness is the knowledge of your own body, internal and external processes. Those who have good body awareness can identify bad habits, signs that something is wrong, and the body's natural strengths and weaknesses.
It does not only concern the external part of the body, it covers the internal processes as well.
Why we should be body aware
Those who know their body well enjoy a much better routine than someone who lives on autopilot.
Better quality of life
Body awareness encompasses all movements, from simply lying down and getting up from bed to high-intensity exercises, such as CrossFit. The difference between someone who has this skill more developed and someone who lives on autopilot is understanding which activities are best for them and how to move in a healthier way.
Knowing whether you perform each movement in the best possible way on a daily basis prevents postural problems that can cause back pain, for example.
Practicing sports that don't push your limits, but at the same time challenge you and give you satisfaction, is a way to stay healthy and motivated. Many people give up on physical activities because they don't know which activity they really enjoy.
Less pain
If you know your limits, logically, you will have less pain. The same reasoning applies to routine movements; if you perform them in the best possible way, your day-to-day life will be much less painful.
Injury prevention
Knowing your limits is one of the characteristics of someone who is well-aware of their body. This person does not overload their body with more than it can handle. They are also better able to identify when rest is necessary and that when starting a new type of physical activity, progress should be gradual.
The opposite is also true. Human beings need movement. Therefore, those who are aware of their bodies know that they need to move, as well as stand up from time to time if they work sitting down.
It is important to remember that a weak body, with fewer muscles, is also more susceptible to injuries even with daily activities.
How to develop body awareness
Understanding your own body is not an easy task, especially if you are just starting to realize this need. But it is worth it, because, as you have seen, there are many benefits to understanding what your body is telling you. Below, we will share some practices that you can include in your routine to develop this skill that can greatly improve your quality of life and health.
Pay attention to your daily movements
Many people believe that body awareness only applies to physical exercise. However, it is essential to pay attention to your daily movements. The way you sit, stand, and climb stairs should be observed. Ask yourself:
- Is your posture correct?
- Have you been getting up abruptly and has this contributed to your anxiety?
- What is your step like?
- Do I stop to breathe and have little moments of pause?
Awareness of your emotions
Body and mind are integrated. Your emotions affect your body more than you might think. Do you know that pain in your back? Tension knots may have formed due to an event that affected you.
Therefore, take care of your feelings and your much-talked-about mental health. To have a surreal life, it is essential to be well. Therapy, moments of introspection, reading about self-development and other self-knowledge activities can help.
RPG
Global Postural Reeducation (RPG) is a physiotherapy technique that aims to treat imbalances in the body. It is believed that muscles and joints are interconnected, and when a chain of muscles is unbalanced, pain and other problems can occur.
It is interesting to develop body awareness because each session, lasting one hour, involves three postures according to each person's needs. With specialized help, you discover how your body is doing and what you can do to improve it.
Yoga
Yoga is an activity that invites us to slow down. With slower movements and breathing exercises, the postures are an invitation to listen to the body, recognize certain patterns, and notice sensations.
Meditation
Another practice that can help you develop body awareness is meditation. It is also a way to get out of autopilot mode and live with more presence. As you have noticed throughout the article, this skill mainly requires paying more attention to the present moment.
Meditation may not be easy, so we recommend that you look for guided meditation videos or audios to get started. There are also apps that help you become a meditator.
Other mindful physical activities
We believe that any other sport or discipline that you enjoy and that is suitable for your profile can help develop body awareness. Try to be present during practice, without worrying about other matters, to get even more benefit. Pay attention to the correct way to perform the movements and how you feel while practicing.
Ready to live with more body awareness? We support you and are sure that your routine will be amazing as you develop this skill. Stay tuned for more tips!
