Check in with your gut

I didn't rely on intuition in my teens and early 20s. But as life threw more curveballs, I started paying attention to my emotions swirling around various people and major life decisions. In essence, I finally met my gut and am now a faithful listener.

In O, The Oprah Magazine's article The Gut Whisperer, psychotherapist Nancy Napier teaches you how to tune in to your gut to make decisions, measure danger and deal with life stress. Here's an outline:

• Make Decisions: Wondering if you should marry that guy/girl or move to Seattle for a new job offer? Take the time to sit in a quiet space and separately contemplate each side of the decision. How does your gut feel when you think about moving? Is it warm and fuzzy or tight and unpleasant? This is your gut talking.
• Danger: Are you unsure about a person? Sit back and listen to the physical sensations emanating from your gut, then listen to various parts of your body that call your attention. Are your shoulders tight, quadriceps clenched and gut feeling unpleasant when reflecting about this person? These signals can reveal how you feel about a person or how that person affected you.
• Stress: Are you stressed out? Again, pick a quiet place and concentrate on the feelings deep within your gut. If your gut is tight, you're likely stressed. Take the time to meditate, allowing positive thoughts to flow through your mind or simply breathe deeply for a few minutes. Hopefully, your gut will start to warm and relax, ultimately lowering your stress.