Gut Feelings
So, what exactly is a "gut feeling"?
Our gut feelings or instincts are similar to our intuition, though often a gut feeling will involve some sort of physical feeling as well—which isn't always the case with intuition.
What is intuition?
A thing that one knows or considers likely from instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning.
How can you tell when you're having a gut feeling?
There's a reason it's called a "gut" feeling. That's where you'll probably feel it! According to Swart, "There is often literally a visceral sensation in the gut area—like butterflies in your stomach or just a deep feeling at your core."
What your gut feelings may be trying to tell you:
1. You're in danger.
From an evolutionary perspective, these sorts of extrasensory perceptions may actually have an advantage. Our ability to pick up on a potentially threatening or dangerous situation is certainly a helpful skill, and it's not uncommon to get that sinking feeling when you feel afraid.
2.You're in good company.
Gut feelings aren't always negative! And actually, they can be quite pleasant, indicating something good for you. If you've just met a new person, for example, romantic or non, maybe their presence gives you a very good vibe. Allan says this might feel like "a sensation in your stomach that feels warm and safe and happy."
3.You're getting sick, or something is physically wrong.
Have you ever had a nagging feeling you were getting sick or something was off with your body, and it turned out to be true? We know our bodies better than anyone else and can often pick up on subtle changes and imbalances.
When it comes to anything medical or health-related, the safest bet is to get checked out. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, don't ignore it.
4.You should take the risk you're considering.
Are you feeling the urge to start a new career or move across the country? Sometimes our intuition knows what's right for us before our conscious mind does.
Whatever idea you have for your next big move may seem risky, but if your gut is persistently telling you to take the risk anyway, you may just want to listen. "Often we're raised to override that with our logic," Allan says, but when you bypass your initial gut feeling, she says, it can often lead to distress.
5.You're being manipulated.
And lastly, just as gut feelings can tell us when someone is good for us, they can also tell us when someone is, well, not so good for us. If you're being manipulated in any way, for example, Allan says it can lead to feelings of disgust in the gut.
Can you always trust your gut?
So, are gut feelings foolproof? Unfortunately, no, it's not that simple.
But as you start to listen to your gut and intuition more closely, you'll be able to better distinguish between what's real and what's not.
"You can't remember everything you have experienced in life, but you do store all this wisdom," Swart explains. "Gut feelings are pattern recognition systems designed to keep you safe and well, but sometimes they can hold you back from thriving based on old fears."
What Are Gut Feelings & How Can You Know When To Trust Them?
mbg Spirituality & Relationships Writer -By Sarah Regan
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/gut-feelings-what-they-really-are-when-to-trust-them/
If you like this podcast, then check out my newsletter called Xpansion Press. Business content delivered to your inbox. Just click here to sign up.
