Charles asks: “How can Focusing be used to address issues of health–e.g., the choices we make around eating, (selection of food, the buying and preparation of food, the way we eat) exercising, managing stress?”
Dear Charles,
What a big issue this is, food and exercise choices! You’d think that simply sensing in the body “Is this what I’m hungry for right now?” would be sufficient for all our food choices, and likewise for exercise: “Would a good long hike feel good to my body right now?”
And certainly, just doing that much would be a great improvement over the way many of us eat by the clock (“It’s lunchtime so I must be hungry”) or while rushing to something else.
But what about the mystery of why we don’t do what we know and sense would feel right? My body is whispering to me that a nap would feel good right now… but something keeps me working.
There is something else going on, obviously. As humans we have the power to overrule and ignore body signals for food and exercise, and this is a good power when used wisely… If my friend needs me to be there on a trip to the emergency room, it’s a good thing that I can overrule my body’s need for sleep or a good meal.
But I can sense that there are parts of me that use “the power to overrule” for their own reasons. As the old joke says, when I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until the urge passes…
So when we are at war inside over choices about food and exercise (and indeed about any choices), we need to pause, sit down, and get into Presence by saying Hello to all the sides of the struggle. It’s important to be unbiased, not to take sides, or the inner world isn’t a safe place for what needs to be heard.
For years, I had a brisk walk on most mornings. I would hop out of bed, throw on sweats, and zoom out the door before doing anything else. Then about six months ago I stopped doing that. I lectured myself, made excuses, blah blah blah. But when I sat down to do Focusing, I realized that my body rhythms had changed. First thing in the morning wasn’t going to work any more… but a lunchtime or late afternoon walk was perfect. Now I’m walking again.
Managing Stress
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Then there’s the other part of Charles’ question: using Focusing for managing stress. Again, the first answer is a simple one: to manage stress, do Focusing! Even a little bit of Focusing every day, on ANY topic, can smooth out the tight places so nicely.
The trouble is, that most of us are less likely to make the time to do Focusing when we’re under stress. I know my own reaction to stress is to try to work harder and feel like I have less time.
That’s when it’s SO important to have a Focusing partner and keep those appointments! Something in you might be saying, “I have too much work to do, I can’t afford to do Focusing.” But the truth is, you can’t afford NOT to do Focusing. Keep those Focusing appointments… and you’ll come back to your work again (or your family, or whatever is stressing you…) with your full fresh self, ready to handle what comes.
