How to listen to your inner voice, an exercise.

Many people grew up without having their boundaries respected. As we get older, we’re stuck in our heads and act like we are ‘supposed to act’. That voice is not your ‘inner voice’ which communicates your feelings. To get more in touch with your own feelings, you should listen to your body more. But how do you go about doing that? Try this exercise! Cycle asked Wilrieke Sophie, intimacy educator for a practical exercise you can do at your own home.

Step 1: Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won’t be interrupted.

Step 2: Sit or lay down, whatever you find more comfortable, and close your eyes.

Step 3: Imagine you’re craving some food and someone serves you your favorite dish. How does your body react? Your muscles, chest, breathing? You’ll notice some changes.

Step 4: Let these thoughts go and with it all the build up tension in your body.

Step 5: The next step is to imagine you’ve eaten until you’re about to burst and you’re feeling quite nauseous. Then imagine someone placing your favorite food in front of you again. How does your body react? Is there tension and where? Your breathing? Are your face muscles tensing? Get familiar with your reaction.

Step 6: Let this thought go and with it all the build up tension in your body.

This is a conscious exercise without the involvement any other people so that you can fully concentrate on yourself. By doing these types of exercises, you learn how to listen to the signs of your body more, because it has so much to tell you. The more you practice, you’ll start to notice it becomes easier, and in your daily life as well.