"Time to Feel Good: Why How You Feel Matters To Me":
Why Feeling Good Is Crucial
Feeling good means feeling healthy, balanced. I am reminded daily in my practice of how many are suffering physically and emotionally. When asked “how are you feeling today? I can usually gain insight by the way they walk, move, sit. Their body language, their subconscious typically giving off a different story. As they move into my office slowly, shoulders hunched forward. Their low back stiff and slow to react around the corners in the hallway. The response is typically “fine, I think I am doing ok.” But are they? It’s not until they have undressed and settled on to the table that their guard comes down. Standing just on the other side of the closed door I can hear them submitting to the ambiance in the room. The low lighting, soft melodic music hypnotizing their nervous system. I can hear them taking in a slow deep inhale quickly then huffing out the tension that is burdening their bodies and their minds as they prepare for todays session.
When you feel good, your overall physical well-being is positively impacted. Just as when you feel bad your well-being suffers. Along with the positive impact physiologically our emotional body also bennifits.
According to Dr. Richard J. Davidson, a neuroscientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. By using brain imaging, Davidson and others have found that positive emotions can trigger “reward” pathways located deep within the brain, including in an area known as the ventral striatum.
“Individuals who are able to savor positive emotions have lasting activation in the ventral striatum,” Davidson says. “The longer the activation lasts, the greater his or her feelings of well-being.” Continued activation of this part of the brain has been linked to healthful changes in the body, including lower levels of a stress hormone.
During the session their bodies rest in a peaceful state. Eyes closed they feel the sensation of relief from the chronic discomfort or pain that envelopes their daily life. Their awareness drifts from one body part to the next as my hands glide over their aching muscles. Quietly they wonder and at times whispering, “why does it hurt there” “what did I do to make that hurt so bad?”
Most often it is not what they have done or been doing? It’s what they haven’t been doing. SELF CARE. Taking care of ourselves has become a luxury that we can’t or choose not to afford. Consequently we have disengaged with our emotional and our physical body and assumed the responsibility of suffering.
My finger tips melting into their taught muscles. I can feel the texture and tone of the lactic acid permeating their tissue. With a deep slow breath I sync my breathing pattern to match theirs. My touch teases the muscle fibers to separate. Fibers rolling back to a place of comfortable function. Blood rushes into the skin, softly flushing metabolic waste along their lymphatic system. My voice inspires a gentle suggestion “take a nice slow deep breath.” Releasing the energy expelled, relaxation enhances their thought pattern as they drift in and out of peaceful slumber.
My touch dissipating the painful state of the body, the frantic emotional body comforted. The lights returning to the dark room. Hardly seems the hour could be over. Thoughts of the day rush in to awareness. A comforting stretch inspiring the body back to this physical reality. “Why don’t I do this more often a voice begs?”
Reaching the door, gently turning the knob. Movement slow and deliberate to not cause any unwanted noise to the tranquil state of my client. I turn to encourage positive suggestions. “ Please remember to drink some lemon water today. Keep your meals lean and green.” But more importantly
“Start practicing Self Care, before you have to start paying for your Health Care.”
If you are one of my clients, Your health really matters to me. It should also matter to you.
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