Do you tap into your gut feeling? And is it a real thing?
Intuition is often referred to as your ‘inner guidance’, an ‘inner knowing’, a ‘hunch’, or a ‘gut feeling’. While we use both rational and intuitive thinking, studies have found unconscious information can help inform and improve decision-making. But it’s about developing trust and connecting with yourself.
What is intuition and how do you access it?
We all have intuition. How often have you had a hunch, that someone was about to call you on the phone and they did, that’s intuition! Experts suggest that if you want to use or improve your intuition, you need to quieten the noise, and practise those hunches. And you’ll also need to be able to trust and listen to your inner guidance. This can be a challenge to do so with the chaos and busyness of everyday life. However, when you do find some quiet time, you’ll be able to access and develop intuition.
First, it’s about understanding intuition, the science behind it
Research identifies that intuition utilises a combination of unconscious knowledge, past experiences, finding patterns and links (stored in memory) to make an intuitive judgement. For example, the individual searches for any available information during the intuitive hunch experience, and primarily uses their ‘gut feeling’ to determine whether a decision feels right or wrong. Accessing the information happens quickly, automatically and unconsciously. In terms of decision-making, individuals have an inner knowing about what to do, without understanding why they know. The research.
While the use of both rational and intuitive thinking helps make good quality decisions, other researchers also found that “unconscious intuition can inform – and even improve – our decision-making.” However, you’ll need to feel comfortable working with your intuition. Furthermore, to be able to use and develop those hunches, it’s important to be able to connect with yourself. Working on yourself, ultimately helps connect with others. During inner work, self-trust can also be strengthened, which is a faith you can rely on yourself by practising self-care. Meditation link
So what can you do?
Activities such as taking a walk in nature, yoga, gardening, or meditation (also known as self-care i.e. listening to your needs, and being kind to yourself), can reduce stress, assisting you to create a calmer and more positive frame of mind, which can open the space for you to become aware of those hunches. Using positive affirmations, journalling and mindfulness practices can also help. Remember intuitive feelings are not always going to be foolproof, and it’s okay if don’t receive any hunches.
Having some solo time will help strengthen your inner guidance (it’s an aspect of intuition: an inner wisdom); on a deeper level, it’s about listening to your heart, it’s an inner knowing, and helps identify your direction – towards the things that make you happy, or situations that feel right, rather than acting on a hunch or making quick intuitive decisions. Intuition and inner guidance are often used interchangeably as they both refer to that ‘gut feeling’ or sense of knowing.
Intuition through self-care
Finding the space and time which can allow for self-care activities as a way to enhance intuition – builds the process of connecting with yourself, this intern develops self-trust. Most importantly, you may discover activities not only as a way to destress but also as a way to connect with your heart, and as a result will help connect with others.
What research has to say
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0263237322000494
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/21/health/how-to-strengthen-intuition-wellness/index.html
