Reconnecting with Your Body

Maybe you find it difficult to tell when you’re full, thirsty, hungry, or tired. Or perhaps your relationship with your body feels more like an outsider looking in—focused on critique rather than connection.

If any of this resonates with you, the practice of embodiment may be worth exploring.

What Is Embodiment?

I like to think of embodiment as the process of unlearning the societal messages that have shaped how we see and relate to our bodies. Messages about how we “should” look, act, or feel often pull us away from the natural, intuitive connection we once had with ourselves.

Think back to when you were very young—before self-consciousness took hold. When you wanted to run you ran, when you needed to rest you sat down, when you were hungry you reached for a snack, without guilt or second-guessing. At some point, though, many of us learned to override these instincts. We were told not to cry in front of others when upset. We absorbed messages from diet culture about “good” and “bad” foods. We stopped hugging friends freely or expressing love without hesitation.

All humans are born deeply connected to their bodies. A baby cries when hungry, smiles when feeling safe, and turns away when overstimulated. But over time, many of us lose touch with this inner knowing—whether gradually or suddenly. When that happens, we may feel disconnected from ourselves, uncertain about what we truly feel, need, or want. Life can start to feel muted, as if we’re only half-present.

The Good News: You Can Reconnect

While we may drift away from listening to our bodies, that connection is never fully lost. At any moment, we can choose to return to it.

We can pause and notice our breath. Feel our feet on the floor. Tune into the subtle sensations of tension, warmth, or movement within. By turning inward with curiosity and acceptance, we begin to rebuild a relationship with our bodies—one rooted in trust rather than judgment.

Embodiment isn’t about doing it “perfectly”—it’s about practicing awareness, little by little. As we do, we open ourselves to a fuller, richer experience of life—one where we feel more at home in our bodies and more in touch with who we truly are.

Some questions you can ask yourself to start your embodiment journey:

• In what ways was your body restricted when you were younger? In what ways was your body allowed to be free?
• What early messages did you learn about bodies?
• What societal or cultural messages shaped how you experience your bodily self?
• What stories did you learn about emotions growing up?
• What emotions were you allowed to feel or not allowed to feel? How did you learn that?
• With whom do you feel free to experience your emotions?
• Think about a time you felt most alive. What were you doing? Who were you with? Notice how connected with your body you were in that moment.

These questions are taken from Dr. Hilary McBride’s “The Wisdom of Your Body”

If you’re interested in learning more about embodiment, check out Dr. Hilary McBride’s “The Wisdom of Your Body”, it’s a great read!

Bridget