When we talk about the feeling of having control over our lives, we use the term “agency. “Does being an agent of our lives mean knowing where we are, knowing what’s happening to us, feeling the ability to shape circumstances?
Physical agencies, such as travel agencies, are responsible for providing services that help people meet certain needs, so we are seeking their advice. We also have internal needs of the most varied types, which can only be met by our own agency, although others may also be involved with aids or services. That’s why it’s important for our agency to work in the best way possible.
- Inserception is the perception that each person has inside his body; information that helps us maintain body balance (homeostasis).
- The body.
- Mind and brain are intimately linked.
- So inserception is not purely physiological.
- It is also related to subjective sensations.
- Such as emotions.
The greater our knowledge at the interoceptive level, the greater the capacity and potential we will have to control our lives, that is, if we are aware of the changes that are taking place in our environment, both outside and inside, we will be able to adapt better.
The wonderful book? Does the body take the score? (Bessel van der Kolk, MD) describes the loss of agency that occurs in many veteran war soldiers. Many of these men were trapped in the past, somehow attached to an environment in which they learned to develop from certain norms, which only work in a context of conflict.
In addition, for different reasons, people may feel unsafe in their own body, for example, constantly remembering an uncomfortable past. Let us think that we are customary beings and that many people learn to ignore their instincts and to sleep inside their consciousness, in this sense, ignoring our interior increases the loss of control.
Many health problems, such as chronic pain, tiredness, headaches, and migraines, are examples of internal warnings that require urgent attention and may result from ignoring our inner sage. Actually, not being the agents of our own lives comes at a price: ignoring or not detecting what is really dangerous or harmful to us, or even not detecting what is safe or invigorating.
The prefrontal cortex of our brain, metaphorically known as the “watchtower,” is responsible for monitoring our bodily sensations. We now know that conscious meditation and yoga can help us become more aware of our bodily sensations and thus energetically control the bar of our lives.
Today, the effect of somatic or bodily work on the release of energy is proven, especially in people who are somehow blocked, such as war veterans linked to the terror they have gone through.
Working in learning is a good exercise to better understand the messages our body sends us about our needs.
Decidedly, talking about an agency is knowing and trusting what our feeling is, our body, our feelings, our inner “I. “Does this agency understand that we are taking the reins of our lives, facing other forces that want to control them?it is not an easy task and begins with getting to know each other, accepting and understanding each other, from there you have to develop a personal life project.
Some questions can be very helpful in reflecting on our management skills: what do you expect from your life, what are your dreams and aspirations?What or who can help you make a small change to your current position?