Follow your Gut … by Lisa Jenkins
We often dismiss those “ gut feelings ”. We can be getting a clear feeling that something is not right , or to do something that is so left field that we talk ourselves out of it .
Whether it be about ourselves , or our children – why don ’ t we listen to it ? Why do we brush it off so easily , only to realise later that it ’ s exactly what we had thought of , and if we had followed it , we probably wouldn ’ t be facing the dilemma or problem we have now – everything in hindsight , right !
Our gut has become a hot topic in the world of nutrition lately . Many are describing it as our ‘ second brain ’. The gut is no longer seen as only helping with digestion , it ’ s also now known as a key factor in regulating inflammation and immunity . Our gut microbiome plays a vital role in our physical and psychological health via its own neural network : the enteric nervous system ( ENS ), a complex system of about 100 million nerves found in the lining of the gut .
The ENS is called the “ second brain ,” because it has many structural and chemical parallels to the brain . Via a pathway of nerves , it can communicate with our brain .
Learning to listen to my gut and to follow my intuition has been a lifelong process . It has had to prove itself right many times for me to really trust it . Now that I do , I don ’ t really question or second guess it anymore . That ’ s not to say that
I don ’ t make mistakes or make decisions that I later wish I hadn ’ t – that ’ s not what life is about – but I don ’ t kick myself as much as I used to when I realised time and time again that I had had a loud and clear thought or a ‘ gut feeling ’ and dismissed it as being silly or irrelevant .
I use it a lot in my work now too as a therapist . I find it very powerful when I am listening to parents describing what their situation is either for themselves or their child . I still haven ’ t been able to find the words to describe it but intuitively I am able to tune in to their story and naturally have insights , visions , gut feelings , all start to flow into my thoughts . Now that I can trust it without any doubt , I share these with parents to help them gain a new perspective or get answers to problems that they were not able to see before . Sometimes being an outsider looking in helps .
So when your gut is sending you a “ message ” to your brain , take notice and maybe stop to ponder what the message is really about . Try following your instincts for a change just to see where
Our gut has become a hot topic in the world of nutrition lately . Many are describing it as our ‘ second brain ’.
it leads . Tune in to it and you will start to know what the different feelings or messages are about . Trust that whatever it is that you are being guided towards , or away from , just might be for your benefit in the long run !
Lisa Jenkins is a qualified Gestalt Psychotherapist , Sandtray Therapist , Intuitive and Spiritual Counsellor , Parenting Coach , Childcare Educator and Writer / Author . For further information you can contact Lisa on 0421 629 649 or lisa @ lisajenkins . net . au , visit www . lisajenkins . net . au or www . facebook . com / lisajenkins . au .
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