Your Body Speaks To You

By Tina Bayouq

We go to the doctor when something physically hurts but have you ever been to expert physicians and didn’t get any answers for your pain? I did, and this is the story of how my journey of healing began.

My name is Tina Bayouq and I am a fighter.

I fight when I am teaching my preschoolers.

I fight when I am coaching children.

I fight when I do what I love.

I fight when I move.

I fight when I meditate.

I fight when I am with my family.

I fight when I am with my friends.

I fight when I am alone.

AND

I fight when I think that I have no more fight in me!

It was a normal day at work when a discussion with a colleague changed my life forever. She was explaining how a certain situation affected her physically. Although I should have been an active listener and showed her compassion, the symptoms she shared triggered the memory of an awful time in my life.

It was the time I felt sick for more than a week and no one knew why. I had a runny nose, nausea, shortness of breath and uncontrollable crying to the point where I had to take time off work. Something I rarely did! Blood test results came back normal and doctors were clueless as to what was causing my symptoms. What was happening to me and why couldn’t anyone help me!!!!

The Healing Process Never Ends

Five months later, there I was listening to my colleague, I was in shock to realize that I had had a major panic attack. What was going on in my life at the time of the attack is not important, what is, was the crucial lesson I learned from it. My journey in life switched from suffering to healing and living.

I had a choice; to either face whatever I was struggling with or give in to it and live in fear.

I decided to fight and it started with getting professional help. After being diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, my response was “Okay! Now how do I face it and get better?” To put the severity of my anxiety into perspective, going shopping to the mall or supermarket gave me so much anxiety that I would never go alone.

With a lot of hard work of developing new habits and a new lifestyle, living life was different. Focusing on maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and breathwork was the beginning of a long journey of healing.

The most important lessons I have learned are to listen to my body and show it love and care when it needs it. Also, that the healing process is continuous and the hard work doesn’t end once you feel better.

I share my story to shed light on the importance of taking care of your mental health including your physical health. If I didn’t listen to my body and what it was telling me, I would probably still be suffering.

If your body is in pain or something feels off, it is telling you to slow down and investigate. It could be the cause of a physical injury or you need to take care of your mental health.

Think about it this way, it is not normal to be in pain all the time. It is not normal to struggle at your job all the time. It is not normal to struggle in social situations. It is not normal to struggle in everyday situations. And, it is not normal to live in worry and fear. GET HELP!

Sending you lots of love and beautiful wishes!

Love,

Tina Bayouq