The Journey Inward

Katharine Chestnut
3 min readApr 9, 2024

Unlocking Inner Peace Through Body Awareness

I love a good body scan meditation any time, day or night.

Amidst the chaos of everyday life, it’s easy to become disconnected from your bodies and overwhelmed by stress.

I’m known for saying that I spent years just in my head (which translates to not in my body). 🤦‍♀️

However, there’s a simple yet profound practice that can help you find solace and cultivate a deeper connection with yourself: shift your awareness through each part of your body.

The simply body scan meditation.

As you look inward, you begin to notice the subtle sensations and rhythms that often go unnoticed in your daily life. With each conscious breath, you can tune into the gentle rise and fall of your chest, the tingling in your fingertips, or the grounding sensation of your feet on the floor.

By bringing your attention to these physical sensations, you anchor ourselves in the present moment, allowing you to disengage from the incessant chatter of your mind (I don’t know about you but my mind never shuts up — jeez). As you explore each part of your body with gentle curiosity, you may uncover areas of tension or tightness, inviting you to breathe into those spaces and release any pent-up stress or anxiety (my jaw always seems to need reminding to relax).

This practice of body awareness is not about achieving perfection or forcing yourself into uncomfortable positions. Rather, it’s about cultivating a compassionate relationship with yourself, embracing your humanity, and accepting the present moment as it is.

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As you become more attuned to your physical self, you may notice a profound shift in your overall well-being. The constant chatter of your mind may quiet down, leaving you with a sense of clarity and focus. You may find ourselves navigating challenging situations with greater resilience and equanimity, as you’ve learned to anchor yourself in the present moment.

Incorporating body awareness into your daily lives can be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before starting your workday.

I like to start each morning with either a morning meditation or body scan to set a mindful tone for the day. When I take a break, I listen to a walking meditation while on the Atlanta BeltLine. It keeps me fully present and grateful for my surroundings.

The key is to approach this practice with an open and curious mindset, free from judgement or expectations.

I encourage you to take a moment to pause, to breathe, and to reconnect with the wisdom of your body.

If you found value in this, give me a clap (or two, or ten), share, comment, follow or all four!

If you’d like to support me and more well-being for all, it is appreciated.

Unlock the transformative power of mindfulness and meditation with The Mindful Life membership. Start your journey towards a more balanced, harmonious existence today. Learn more here →

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Katharine Chestnut

From the world of marketing and sm biz, to self-care and wellness practices. She is committed to help others discover their wisdom. katharinechestnut.com