Going on the Offense: A Somatic Approach to Illness

It’s not every day you hear someone say they rarely get sick for long—and truly mean it. Last night in my Spotlight Session, one of the participants shared something so refreshingly different that it stuck with me long after the session ended. Instead of passively enduring illness, he treats his body as an ally and goes on the offense. He listens, tunes in, and actively encourages his body to do what it was designed to do: heal.

This isn’t the typical approach most of us are taught. We’re used to “defending” ourselves against illness—retreating, resting (sometimes with a dose of resignation), waiting it out, and sometimes even getting frustrated with our bodies for “failing” us. We hand over the reins to the virus, the ache, the fatigue, and hope for the best. But what if there’s another way? What if we could step into a more active, intentional role in our own healing process?

The Power of Somatic Awareness

Here’s the shift: Rather than seeing sickness as something happening to us, we can see it as a signal from our body—an invitation to listen, respond, and even participate. Somatic awareness, or the practice of noticing sensations in the body, is the gateway. It’s about asking, Where do I feel this? What does it need? and then bringing our full attention, our energy, to that place.

Our bodies are incredibly wise. When we feel that scratch in our throat, the ache in our head, or the exhaustion settling in, it’s not just a nuisance—it’s a message. By sitting with those sensations, rather than avoiding or fighting against them, we actually align ourselves with the healing process. We can offer gentle encouragement, positive intention, and focused energy to the places in our body that are calling for support.

Shifting from Defense to Offense

Most of us have been trained to see illness as an opponent. We “battle” a cold, we “fight off” the flu. But what if we could work with our bodies, not just against the symptoms? This isn’t about toxic positivity or denying what’s happening. It’s about choosing to participate in the healing, not just endure it.

• Tune In: When you first feel unwell, take a quiet moment. Ask yourself, Where do I feel this in my body? What’s the quality of the sensation?

• Get Curious: Instead of panicking or ignoring the symptoms, get curious. Is it heaviness? Pressure? Tingling? What might that area need?

• Send Support: Visualize your energy and attention going directly to the place in need. Encourage your body—You’ve got this. I’m here with you. Let’s heal together.

• Rest as Collaboration: Rest, hydrate, and nourish yourself, but see these as tools you’re using to empower your body, not just as ways to “wait it out.”

Becoming an Active Partner in Your Healing

This approach isn’t magic, and it’s not a guarantee that you’ll never get sick or recover instantly. But it is a way to reclaim agency, deepen self-trust, and experience your body as a powerful partner rather than a battlefield. When you go on the offense—when you listen, encourage, and support—you might just find that your body rises to meet you.

Next time you feel that tickle in your throat or that wave of fatigue, try this: pause, listen, and direct your energy with intention. You may discover that healing isn’t just something that happens to you, but something you’re invited to participate in, every step of the way.

With you in the messy middle,

Sarah