A couple of quick questions:

Are you "shouldering" too much responsibility? 

Do you have a "heavy heart"? 

Does someone’s behavior make you “sick to your stomach”?

Have you been “hot under the collar” due to work?

Yes, these are all turns of phrases that we use. However, let’s take another look at what they might teach us.

To begin with, what do all these words have in common? — discomfort / distress / and certainly a level of "dis-ease". What if there is innate wisdom in this "dis-ease"?—even an early warning system to let you know that not only is something amiss, but also it needs attention before it becomes more than a nuisance?

Let’s tap into the Bodymind, and look at how these four phrases might impact us:

“Shouldering too much”—When we’re weighed down by too much ( whatever the too much is ), it can affect our posture: curving our spine, letting our heads drop forward, literally bringing our focus / eyesight towards the ground; this in turn compresses our organs and compromises our breathing, making it more shallow and less productive; then there’s that dull ache that happens in the upper back, which tugs on the mid back and alters our gait.

“Heavy Heart”—When our heart feels heavy, it can often indicate emotions that are trapped, locked away, perhaps even dishonored. There is a curling inward of the body to literally protect Our Selves, which can in turn torque the spine, alter the productivity of various systems within the body, skew our outlook on life, and make us feel more despondent, hopeless and even alone.

“Sick to your Stomach”—When our guts are in turmoil, digestion seems to have a mind of its own: too acidic, churning, shut down, blocked, stalled, nauseous, all of which can impact how we nourish Our Selves ( or not ).

“Hot under the Collar”—When we feel that heat rise on the back of our neck, it can trigger all kinds of secondary responses: suspended, shallow or even labored breathing; the need to clear our throats; the rise of our shoulders, the constriction of our voices; a stiffness and tension throughout our limbs, all of which can “muddy” the situation, and the loop continues.

When you find Your Self triggered by these responses, call on the ongoing practice:

Stop.

Breathe.

Read the moment.

Now track how You tap into these or similar phrases:

What part of the Bodymind is involved?

What’s really happening in the situation?

How can you reset Your Self so you’re not manifesting the metaphor?

I’m not suggesting that there’s a simplistic, direct line between “dis-ease” and “disease”. However, it's like anything else that isn't tended to—over time, there is a toll that's taken.

I invite You to read the early road signs—reminders for taking care of Your Self.

If we use the phrases above, the practice might be: shrug it off, open your heart, trust your gut, speak your truth.

Watch. Listen. Practice. SwaffWords© Video.