Trust Your Gut

Do you trust your gut feelings (instincts) implicitly? Do you know why you get them? Do you sometimes feel like there is something directing your life internally? That's a gut feeling!

Gut feelings protect us from harm, help us avoid and/or understand and resolve conflicts, and guide us toward the goals we are intended to meet. Ignore them at your own risk.

Examples of gut feelings:
Vague unease
Internal heavy feeling
Inability to concentrate
Crying for no clear reason
Hyperness without focus
Intense confusion or feeling of doom
Acute weariness
Fearfulness


Gut feelings are different for every individual and are fine-tuned to have the greatest impact on the person experiencing them. The problem is, a lot of people mistake the intensity of these feelings as depression and try to medicate them away. It is not possible to medicate yourself out of gut feelings. Medications do dull the senses, but gut feelings are more intense and powerful than moods, so they overcome medications quite easily.

When you have a decision to make, you might become very tired and lethargic, and want to sleep more than usual. This is your body's way of shutting down all peripheral activity so you can concentrate. It's a good thing! When your body is at rest and you are sleeping, the mind moves on into the future and can tell you what direction you are headed in. It is important to treat your body and mind well and not inhibit this communication. Medication should always remain a last resort and be prescribed by an uninvolved (in your life) professional who diagnosis you with depression.

Our brains do not operate like a computer. There is no limit to the number of processes our brains can carry out in a single day, all the while remaining acutely aware of our surroundings. Our brains are uniquely ours and operate only in our best interest. This means that your brain is the only thing you can trust completely...so trust it.

Writing out what you're feeling can help you clarify what messages your brain is sending you. If you are doing what is in your personal best interest, you will feel peaceful and positive about your future. If you are crossing yourself up, you'll see it in writing and you'll want to make changes.

When you follow your instincts, you'll feel an energy that makes you feel like you can conquer the world. That's because you are no longer fighting your own best interests and are moving in the right direction, opening the door for what is possible and closing the door on what no longer serves your best interest.

The greatest risk you face if you ignore your gut feelings is injury, illness and misery. These are not commonly at the top of most people's goal list and severely inhibit one's ability to cope with day to day decisions and activities. Injury, illness and misery do not make for good employees, good neighbors, or good parents, so if you're suffering, take a little time to address any gut feelings you might also be experiencing.


If your gut is telling you something today, write it down and sleep on it. These feelings often signal that change is coming - whether you like it or not - and give you an opportunity to deal with the emotions that accompany change. Give yourself the satisfaction that you've done something about that feeling and are open to hear whatever message your gut is sending.

You may find yourself quitting a job that's given you nothing but satisfaction, only to find yourself facing an opportunity of a lifetime that just "feels right". Doing what feels right brings rewards and peace of mind you will not be able to find until you've followed your heart. Holding on to what is, because you are afraid of what might be, only serves to prolong your misery and make necessary decisions more frightening.

Give yourself a break today and acknowledge your gut feelings. Write them down and have yourself a nice nap! You'll be surprised how well your brain knows you and how smart you really are!

Have a Great Day Folks!