5 Ways to Become Better In Tune With Your Body

Are you in tune with your body?

With technology and the stressors of today’s world, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that many of us aren’t in tune with our own bodies.

Sure, we might feel off one day. But we don’t really know why. We tend to brush it off and carry on. After all, we’ve got stuff to do!

Sound familiar?

Yet, when you pay attention to the signals your body is telling you, you truly become one with it. This means you can better honor it by fueling it with what it needs, giving it the movement it craves and allowing time for rest when needed.

It plays into the whole concept of “balance.” You know that feeling when everything just lines up. When what you eat just feels good. When with a workout, you literally just warmed your little heart when that day of relaxation was exactly what you needed.

When you’re in tune with your body, you just know what you need and when.

But before we give you a handful of ideas to help you become more in tune with your body, let’s dive into what exactly that really means.

What Does “Being In Tune With Your Body” Even Mean?

Do you know that saying “feeling yourself”?

That is exactly what being in tune with your body is all about. You feel like you, and there’s seriously no better feeling.

You’re hungry, so instead of putting it off and getting hangry, you eat. You know that if you don’t, you’re going to be one stressed and grumpy human. You get you.

Basically, you end up giving your body (and your mind) what it needs to thrive, not just survive. This is important, especially if you truly want to live your best life (don’t we all?).

Plus, when you know your body, you can tell right away when something is seriously wrong. This can give you a leg-up when it comes to tackling health problems - whether that’s mentally or physically.

But it’s not just about the serious stuff.

You’ll also know when certain food just doesn’t agree with you. From there, you can avoid it in the future. You’ll also know when you overdo it at the gym and how you can reel that back in and find a balanced workout. You’ll know when you just need a break from social occasions, and you can take a step back and take a day for yourself.

These are all amazing things!

So, without further delay, let’s find out how you can become more in tune with your body starting right here and right now.

How to Become More In Tune With Your Body & Gain More Body Confidence

1. Try Slow Movement

I get it. Yoga and stretching aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that is completely okay. You really only need to do this for a few minutes a day to really amp up your connection with your body.

Start with two minutes. (Let’s make this really easy.)

From there, all you need to do is a few simple stretches, and you have your pick from so many.

Flow through each stretch and really focus on performing it with proper form. Focus on really feeling those stretches, as well as knowing when you’re pushing it too far. This is something you don’t want to do! So go very slow. Pay attention to what your body’s telling you.

You can also try out: 10 Poses for Your Morning Yoga Flow

2. Do a Body Scan

If you don’t want to do this on your own, you can find many guided body scan videos on YouTube that can walk you through this whole process. In fact, I encourage it. It’s way easier to focus on how your body feels when someone else tells you where to focus that attention.

Basically, it goes a little something like this:

• Lay flat on your back on a comfortable surface.
• Close your eyes.
• Take a few slow and deep breaths.

From there, perform a slow and meticulous exam across your body. Bring your thoughts to your head and neck:

• How does it feel? Does it feel tight?
• Are there points of tension? Where is this point of tension?
• Can you feel it when you move your head a certain way?

These are the questions you want to be asking yourself at each body part.

Overall, this technique forces you to really narrow in on how your body is feeling. That way (yes, I’m going to repeat this), you can give it what it needs!

3. Keep a Body Diary

This simply meets just jotting down when something feels off - taking note of it. You can also add why you think you feel this way or why you think there is tension in a certain part of your body.

This can help you become more familiar with your body’s reactions to situations and entities within your life.

You can then figure out what’s serving you and what isn’t. Then, you can treat your body right.

4. Eat Slowly

This bit of advice is often preached by weight-loss experts. But this point is not about weight loss!

Eating slowly can help you become more mindful of when you’re full or not. It can make you more aware of how you’re feeling internally and physically instead of mindlessly eating while you watch the latest episode of your new favorite show.

This can also guide you when it comes to your taste buds. You can determine what foods you really appreciate and enjoy versus which ones you don’t. This way, maybe you can make healthier and more balanced food decisions for your unique body.

5. Ditch the Gadgets & Flock to Nature

Technology serves as one of the biggest distractions in our lives. In fact, our lives revolve around it. And it’s a key ingredient as to why so many of us don’t understand or listen to the cues our body is screaming at us.

Try heading out into nature at least once a week. Make this a routine that you just do. You’ll probably notice how much more centered and grounded you feel.

Nature is so healing, and it can really help us connect with ourselves.

For the first time in a long time, you’ll probably be able to hear that voice in your head. You can listen to yourself without distraction. This also means you’ll be able to recognize your true calling. In turn, you’ll perhaps be better equipped to find more meaning and purpose in your life (which is a major win!).

Achieve Body Self-Actualization

Body self-actualization refers to when you are reaching your needs and achieving your full potential. Reconnecting and staying in tune with your body does just that.

So, if you’re feeling a little off-center, try the advice above. Reconnect with yourself. Nurture that relationship.

This body has gotten you this far in life, and it’s going to keep you going. It’s time we start honoring it as such!

Related article: 9 Body-Positive Mantras to Love Your Body Right Now