By Wendy J Olson, Healing Coach + Founder + Executive Director of Grit Plus Gumption
All month long, we’re talking about adverse childhood experiences and how they later affect us in our adult lives. We call this campaign “Evolve” because as we learn together, we can grow, heal, and eventually thrive.Get involved by joining us on our Instagram page, @gritplusgumption and/or donating using the link at the bottom.
There’s been a lot of talk about embodiment, and just like we need to learn to listen to our bodies for cues of danger and safety, we also need to listen our bodies when they set off the fire alarms.
I was 33 when my health started failing me. I wouldn’t be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia until I was 36, but I knew something was off. Things were changing, and I was getting sick all the time.
All the trauma that my body had endured was finally coming to collect. The bill came due.
There have been many studies on trauma being linked with chronic illness. Even stress is known to be a cause of cancer. But why haven’t we connected the dots yet?
When something in the body goes wrong, we instantly try to suppress it, brush it off as not a big deal. But when your body speaks, you need to listen.
What we’re doing about it:
Along with embodiment exercises and grounding, we’re also teaching healthier habits and if asked, we will help implement these with outside resources. It is our hope to be able to partner with many coaches from all aspects of the client’s needs. Our approach has and always will be holistic in nature.
Healing Holistically.
Cultivating Community.
Healing happens in community.
Red Flags
What are the signs my body is talking back?
- Sudden onset of unusual health conditions. Unexplainable pain, discomfort, nerve pain, etc. (Always get checked out by a professional and make sure you take precautions with health screenings.)
- You are sick all the time and can’t figure out why. It seems like you can’t “stay” healthy.
- Bodily functions are out of routine. This could be as a result of eating certain foods or drinks. This is how the body communicates.
- Sleep patterns are different and abnormal. You can’t seem to “turn your brain off.”
- You have food sensitivities you didn’t have before. This is your body’s way to letting you know something is off. When everything feels like a threat, your body will think everything is. Food or otherwise.
Please make sure to always get checked out by a health professional. Blood work, panels, ultrasounds, x rays and MRIs are important when ruling out other things that could be going on in your body.
Green Flags
What are some signs that I’m on the right track with my health?
- Your sleep patterns are predictable. They may be different as you age, but if they are consistent throughout the cycle of a month, that’s typically a good sign you’re headed in the right direction. (Hormones in women change within a 28 day cycle. Your sleep patterns can reflect that.)
- You feel good in your body. You may not be the size of shape of your dreams, but your confidence has been well established. You’re working towards healing and feeling good about where you are right now.
- Your eating, sleeping, and sleep hygiene habits are consistent and you are reaping the rewards of that.
- You’re super aware of your body and can tell when something is off. When it is, you have enough tools in your toolbox to take the concern some place for it to be remedied.
- You’re listening to your body and responding. You don’t think you have all the answers, but you are staying curious and open to learn.
We are all born with this innate nature to know ourselves well. I like to call it our BS detector. Some people call it their gut, their heart. Whatever you call it, it was in working order when you were born, and should’ve been grown as you grew. Unfortunately because of our trauma, we’re usually talked out of believing ourselves, believing our gut, trusting our inner guiding.
The work of healing is to get back to a place where you can KNOW that you KNOW that you KNOW. Know yourself well. Work to get back there.
That’s the work we do at Grit Plus Gumption.
If you found this information helpful to your own healing journey, please consider donating to Grit Plus Gumption and supporting another woman’s healing journey as well. You can make a tax-deductible donation using this link. Thank you so much for your support!
Wendy J Olson is the Founder and Executive Director of Grit Plus Gumption Farmstead, a 501c3 nonprofit. She also works as a healing coach, facilitating the Allender Center modality of Story Work, (Narrative Focused Trauma Care. ) She walks with women through their stories of past hurts and traumas, guiding them to freedom and healing.