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Aid Your Recovery Through Self-Connection

When it comes to disordered eating and body image issues, disconnection from body and self plays a big part in the struggle. We often go around in life like walking heads, always over-thinking, over-planning, and trying to logically “fix” ourselves and think our way out of our issues. Logic doesn’t heal, only feeling does that, and we cannot truly feel and heal if we lack self-connection.

So why are we so disconnected? It’s because, as humans, we are conditioned to avoid pain at all costs, as a means of survival, and emotions are one of the biggest sources of pain there is. This makes emotions one of the things we suppress and avoid the most. There is no better way to suppress emotions and avoid pain than disconnection.

With food and body in particular, there is so much shame, guilt, and self-loathing involved. How many times have you come back to yourself after a binge episode and you’re completely flabbergasted that you just inhaled an entire pizza and bag of Oreos in one sitting? “It was like I was on autopilot,” you think. This is the case for so many people who struggle with binge eating. We feel an emotion, which triggers pain and discomfort, and instead of allowing ourselves to process that emotion to move through it, we seek an instant state change through food. And, most of the time, we don’t even realize were’ doing it, because we are so disconnected from our feelings and our body.

 What is self-connection?

Self-connection is a deeper, intentional connection to the self. We spend a majority of our lives surrounded by external noise, to the point that we often absorb and subscribe to thoughts and beliefs that aren’t even our own. These beliefs than fuel our behaviors, some of which can disrupt recovery. The good thing is that each and every one of us always has access to internal stillness and wisdom. At any given moment, we can make a conscious decision to shut out the external noise, get grounded and quiet, and connect with ourselves.

Ways to Practice Self-Connection

  • Meditation: Unguided meditation in particular is a great way to strengthen the connection with self. Take silent time to observe your inner dialogue, release it, and tap into the whisper of your soul.
  • Journaling: You can write unprompted to see what is on your mind and heart in general, or you can focus on a specific intention, perhaps “What is my higher self craving most right now?” and then reflect on that and see what flows through you.
  • Get Out in Nature: Get outside, surround yourself with nature, and be present in the moment. Go for a walk and really focus on how the sun feels beating down on your, the way a gust of wind stirs your hair. Take some deep breaths and really tap into how you feel surrounded by nature, and envision your surroundings infusing you with energy and love, and nourishing your deeper connection with yourself.
  • Energy Healing: Find an energy healing practitioner who offers sessions with a focus on self-connection. An example of this is Turaya Touch, a hands-on energy practice that works at the cellular level to connect you to your soul and the truth of your heart.

Self-connection is a great way to aid in your recovery and help you sustain in. It’s often the external noise and expectations of others that put so much pressure on us to “be perfect.” However, self-connection can help you tap into grace, self-compassion, and self-love, which can help you shift expectations and mindset. At the end of the day, all of your flaws and failures come from your ego, not your true self, which is why it’s so important to create separation from the mind and tap into something deeper, like your higher self. Strengthening the connection with your deep inner wisdom and love can support recovery in incredible ways.

The only one who can truly maintain your recovery is you. This is why it’s so important to forge self-connection. When we try to change for someone else, the shift is usually fleeting and unsustainable. However, when the foundation of our desire to change and heal comes from the self, it’s much more powerful and easier to maintain when things feel challenging. Become your own cheerleader. Get in tune with yourself on a deeper level, and allow that well of wisdom, love, and compassion to overflow and aid in your recovery.

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Photos Courtesy of Shutterstock

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