We’ve all been there—caught in the whirlwind of stress, doing the next thing that needs to be done, and feeling like we’re living on autopilot. Our minds take over, analyzing, worrying, planning, and before we know it, we’re completely disconnected from our bodies, emotions, and the deep wisdom of our hearts. This disconnect is a significant disadvantage, keeping us stuck in repetitive patterns and stress responses, and hindering our ability to heal. It’s like trying to navigate life using just one sense, missing out on the full experience of who we are.
But what if there was a better way? What if you could turn off the mental noise, tune into the signals from your body, and tap into the wisdom your heart has been quietly offering all along? You’d likely recover from life’s challenges more easily and feel more balanced, more present, and—most importantly—more alive.
Having a simple self-care technique that you can apply to get out of your head and take a moment to go inward - into your heart and body - is the key to processing stress and essential for genuine healing.
Our ability to drop into our hearts and bodies is a powerful force. When the conscious and subconscious unite – when the head and heart, thought and emotion, merge into a single potent force - then we can achieve remarkable things. This special union is the merging of yin and yang, the building blocks of creation that when harmonized give birth to something new. Through this union, we can literally and figuratively change our world.
This isn’t some mystical power reserved for the enlightened few. It’s something we all can do.
The Problem with Living in Our Heads
When we live solely in our heads, we’re like a computer running on outdated software—stuck in loops, freezing up, lacking power, and unable to access the apps and files we really want to enjoy. Viewing our experiences through a purely mental lens is a mental overload and we react to stress in the same ways repeatedly. This cycle leaves us lacking the skills to truly integrate stress, emotions, and injuries in a way that promotes real recovery and healing.
We miss the signals our bodies send us—the fatigue, the tension, the discomfort—all clues that something needs attention. We function with less vitality, creativity and joy, and we lose touch with our inner wisdom.
And our emotions? They get suppressed or ignored because it seems easier to just keep going. This disconnection leaves us feeling out of sync, out of sorts, and ultimately, out of touch with ourselves.
The Healing Wisdom of Neutrality
Ancient traditions and texts teach us that experiences are neutral, neither positive nor negative until we assign meaning to them through our perceptions, conditioning, and beliefs. It is through judgment, a product of the mind, that we transform these experiences into something positive or negative.
Instead of viewing uncomfortable emotions and stress as problematic, if we can see them as simply indicators that something needs attention, we won’t miss the opportunity to heal. They are indicators that something has crossed our path that is inviting us to examine what is happening within us.
Stressful experiences and emotions only become problematic when they go unresolved or unprocessed. When we bury our hurt, frustration, anger, jealousy, grief, injuries, or whatever it may be, leaving them unattended month after month, year after year they turn into imbalances looking for expression, that eventually manifest as illness. That is how we shut down our bodies, intuition, and our hearts, leading us to live life solely from our heads.
Our ability to cultivate the skill to process stressful experiences without judgement or fear, without suppressing or dismissing them, is vital to our well-being and something that can be done more easily than you might think.
The Power of Reconnecting
So, how do we break free from this head-centered living? It starts with a simple but powerful shift: moving from the mind into the heart and body. When you begin to reconnect with your body and emotions, you start to notice things you may have overlooked—those subtle aches, that tightness in your chest, the sadness you’ve been pushing aside. These are the cues your body and heart use to communicate with you and guide you.
Imagine this process as tuning into different radio stations. Your mind is the talk radio station—lots of chatter, some of it useful, but a lot of it just noise. Your body is more like a jazz station—there’s rhythm and flow, but you have to really listen to appreciate it. And your heart? That’s the classical station, playing something timeless and deeply resonant, if you take the time to hear it.
When you learn to listen to all three, you start to harmonize your inner world. Your mind still has a role, but it’s not the only voice at the table. Your body’s wisdom helps you navigate stress and physical health, while your heart provides the emotional intelligence needed for deeper understanding and compassion.
Start With Curiosity: Awaken Your Inner Physician
Imagine the doctor of your dreams—one who has all the time in the world just for you. This doctor listens deeply, takes a genuine interest in your story, and is profoundly curious about you. They ask the most thought-provoking questions, like a wise sage, offering curious metaphors that lead to those "aha" moments, awakening your self-awareness and helping you process and integrate your experiences.
While it's not realistic to expect such a physician in real life, one who can dedicate endless time and curiosity to you, this is something you can cultivate within yourself. Awakening your "Inner Physician" (or “Inner Healer” if you prefer) is a way to reconnect with the wisdom of your subconscious, body, and heart. Become curious about yourself and your experiences to process them in a way that honors all of you, not just your head.
How to Reconnect: Reflective Reset Technique
Here’s a practical way to start reconnecting with yourself—a process to awaken your "Inner Physician" and get your head, heart, and body back in sync.
It’s best to use this technique after the stressful event has passed and you’re in a comfortable, safe place where you can be genuinely curious. Throughout the process allow yourself feel whatever you’re feeling without judgment.
1. Acknowledge: What happened? What’s stressing me out? What’s weighing on my mind? What feels "off"? Start by recognizing what happened and whether you can identify the event or situation that may have been stressful or triggered a response. If you can identify the source that's great—but if you can't, that's okay too. Sometimes, just acknowledging that something is off, even if you're unsure of the cause, is the first step in defusing its power over you.
2. Check In: Take a moment to go inward. Am I okay? Is there a part of me that was harmed? How am I really feeling? Is there an emotion? Am I in my body? How is my breathing? Are there any sensations happening in my body? Am I holding onto any emotion—anger, sadness, fear? Instead of pushing away discomfort, sit with it for a moment. Allow it to be. This is your chance to be curious and notice, and to let things surface.
3. Feel and Process: Is there anything my heart is telling me about this situation? Is there any meaning or significance to this experience? Is there anything I need right now – perhaps to express something through movement, sound, or voice? Do I need a self-care activity, to move, drink water, rest, have a good cry, or maybe simply take some deep breaths? Honor your body by doing it.
4. Self-Compassion: Now, drop into your heart. Can you offer yourself compassion- some kindness and understanding in this moment? Is there care and consideration you can give yourself for what you experienced? Imagine how you would comfort a friend going through the same thing—and then offer that to yourself.
Tips for Using the Process:
Curious Mindset: Keep a neutral, curious mindset free of judgement. These questions are invitations to the body and subconscious to communicate. They are not meant for the analytical mind, so there’s no need for a “right” or “wrong” answer—or any answer at all. A subconscious response is often instantaneous. Simply allow whatever arises to come up naturally. If an answer doesn’t come immediately or if nothing surfaces, that’s okay—just move on.
Make It Yours: Customize the process. Ask your own questions, adapt the steps to fit your needs, and don’t be afraid to mix things up. This is your journey.
Celebrate Positive Changes: Notice even the smallest shifts—less tension in your shoulders, a moment of clarity, a release of emotion, a lightness or relief. Celebrate these victories because they’re signs of progress and integration.
Seek Support: If something feels too heavy to process alone, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Whether it’s talking to a friend, seeing a therapist, engaging in a healing practice, or getting a session with your favorite Energy Kinesiology provider, support can make processing stress much easier.
Simplify: You may find that you become very efficient at this process, able to check in and process in a matter of minutes or seconds. Here is a very abbreviated version that works. You can add these prompts to your wallet or phone:
Reflective Reset - Pocket Sized 1. What happened?
2. Go inward. Am I okay? Am I in my body? What do I notice?
3. How do I feel? What do I need to do, express, or any self-care?
4. Can I give myself heartfelt compassion in this moment?
The Real Healing Magic
By regularly engaging in this practice, you’ll start to feel more connected to yourself. Those stress states that used to drag you down will begin to lose their grip. You may notice that the usual aches, pains, and symptoms begin to resolve. You’ll find that you’re more resilient, more aware, and more capable of handling whatever life throws your way.
This practice isn’t just about healing; it’s about nurturing a deeper relationship with yourself through curiosity, compassion, and self-awareness. By engaging in this introspective approach, you can harmonize your mind and heart, creating a foundation for lasting resilience and well-being.
The truth is, you have an incredible capacity for healing and transformation. Your mind, body, and heart are all on your side—they just need a little encouragement to work together. And when they do, you’ll discover a whole new level of vitality, creativity, and joy.
So, next time you feel yourself getting stuck in your head, take a moment to pause. Access your curious "Inner Physician" and listen to what your body is saying, feel what your heart is feeling, and let all parts of you come into harmony. Trust in your inner wisdom, because it’s been guiding you all along—you just needed to tune in.
Author: Sara McRae
Join Sara for classes in holistic medicine and personal healing at Zenbrio School and Zenbrio House
Love This! Thank you! ❤️