The First Step in Healing: Creating Awareness in Your Body
- DrEvDC
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
Have you ever been so busy that you didn’t realize you had to pee until you were practically running to the bathroom? Or noticed the urge, but just ignored it and kept working? Or worked straight through lunch, only to crash hours later wondering why you were so drained?
You’re not alone. This came up with a patient recently and then once I realized it was happening with her I started to inquire with others... it turns out this is INCREDIBLY COMMON, I even catch myself doing this sometimes! Though this seems silly and maybe a little TMI, it's actually a sign of disconnection, and could be interfering with your ability to heal.
In a world that rewards constant productivity, many of us have learned to ignore the signals our bodies send. But the truth is, the first step in healing — physically, mentally, and emotionally — is building awareness in your body.
Before we can move out of stress and survival mode, we have to start listening to the messages our bodies are sending us every day.
Step One: Awareness Comes Before Healing
Body awareness is the foundation of true healing.
Your body is constantly communicating through sensations — tight shoulders, a heavy chest, a growling stomach, a burst of energy, or a wave of exhaustion. These sensations are your nervous system’s way of talking to you.
When we pause long enough to notice them, we shift from reacting to responding. That small act tells your body, “I’m listening. I’m safe.”
This awareness begins to calm your nervous system and lays the foundation for healing — chiropractic care or other modalities.
Step Two: Honor What You Notice
Once you start noticing, the next step is to honor your body’s signals.
When you feel thirsty, drink water. When you’re tired, rest. When you need to move, stretch. When you need a bio break, take it.
These basic needs may sound simple, but they are foundational to nervous system regulation and a relationship of trust with your body. Every time you respond to a signal, you reinforce safety within your body — which helps you shift out of chronic stress and survival mode and back into balance.
Step Three: Why Listening to Your Body Feels So Hard
If this feels difficult, you’re not alone. Most of us were taught to override our body’s needs — to push through, multitask, and stay productive at all costs.
But here’s a little perspective: would you fault your child for needing a bathroom or water break? Of course not. You’d encourage them to listen to their body.
You deserve that same compassion. Ignoring your needs doesn’t make you stronger — it just teaches your nervous system that your comfort and safety aren’t priorities. Relearning to listen is an act of healing.
Step Four: Simple Ways to Reconnect With Your Body
You don’t need to overhaul your entire life to start reconnecting.Try weaving a few moments of awareness into your day:
Take three deep breaths before checking your phone or email.
Pause before meals to notice how hungry you actually are, try not to multitask during meals.
When you feel tension, ask yourself: What do I need right now?
These small check-ins are powerful tools for body awareness and nervous system regulation.
Step Five: Support the Connection With Chiropractic Care
When your nervous system is clear and communicating properly, your body can sense, adapt, and heal more effectively. That’s what nervous system–based chiropractic care helps restore — the connection between your brain and body.
You can do all the right things for your health, but if that communication system is blocked, your body can’t fully respond. Chiropractic adjustments help remove that interference, allowing your body to function — and heal — the way it’s designed to.
Start Reconnecting With Yourself
If you’re ready to rebuild your connection to your body, I created a free guide to help you start.
This guide walks you through practical ways to create awareness, rebuild trust with your body, and begin meeting your needs with compassion — one step at a time.
As always, I hope this helps you.
Take care,
Dr. Ev
Dr. Evelyn Moseley France D.C.Nervous System–Based Chiropractic Care for Busy, Full Lives
P.S. Want a video or audio version of this post that you can listen to on the go? Here is the link to my YouTube Live.
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