Seven Ways to Ignite Your Intuition Today
Seven Ways to Ignite Your Intuition Today
March 28, 2023
By Stef Ziegler
Intuition is a powerful tool that can guide you through life's ups and downs. It is that gut feeling you get, that inner voice that speaks to you when you're faced with a decision or a situation. It’s your ability to understand something immediately, without the need to explain it rationally or consciously.
Some people may be able to relate to this feeling, while others may question if their intuition even exists. Others may know their intuition is trying to speak to them, but decide to ignore its wisdom.
For years I fell into the category of knowing my intuition was speaking to me, but deciding to ignore it. thus completely denying myself of my truth. This propelled me to stay in a dead-end relationship for far too long. In fact, I almost married the person!
Luckily, after years of practicing mental fitness, my intuition became so loud I could not ignore it anymore.
Although intuition may sound like woo-woo hogwash to you, many scientists argue that intuitive and analytic thinking aren’t opposites and should be used together when making important life decisions. That is to say that when we do learn to activate and listen to our intuition we aren’t denying our logical minds, but we’re using it alongside our logic to make the best decisions in our lives. It may sound challenging at first, but I know from experience that practicing mental fitness can help you activate your intuition.
Here are 7 ways to activate your intuition
1. Quiet Your Mind
The first step in activating your intuition is to quiet your mind. This can be done through meditation, mindfulness practices, or simply finding a quiet space to sit and breathe deeply. When your mind is calm and still, you can better hear your intuition speaking to you. Quieting your mind allows you to get in touch with an important tool of intuition: your body.
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2. Pay attention to your body
Intuition is not just a mental process, it is also a physical one. Pay attention to how your body feels when facing a decision or a situation. Do you feel tense or relaxed? Do you have a knot in your stomach or a feeling of lightness? These physical sensations can be important indicators of what your intuition is telling you.
The gut-brain connection is being studied by more scientists and it is proven that the gut produces 90% of our serotonin (the neurotransmitter that acts as a happy hormone and regulates mood). The gut-brain connection is sometimes known as your second brain. Neuroscientists at Johns Hopkins are discovering how this part of our body communicates more and more with our ‘big brain.’
3. Listen and trust yourself
Intuition is all about trusting yourself and your instincts. When you have a feeling or a hunch, don't dismiss it. Trust that your intuition is leading you in the right direction. The more you trust yourself, the more your intuition will speak to you.
Activating your intuition is not an instant process. It takes time and practice to tune in to your inner voice. Trust the process, and don't be discouraged if it doesn't happen overnight. Keep practicing and trusting yourself, and your intuition will become stronger over time.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a powerful tool for activating your intuition. When you're mindful, you're fully present in the moment, and you can better tune in to your intuition. Mindfulness allows you to tap into a deeper sense of awareness which can help you to read your body’s cues more easily when it comes to decision-making.
You can practice mindfulness in your daily life by focusing on your breath, being fully present in conversations, and paying attention to your surroundings.
5. Understand the science behind intuition
While intuition may seem like a mystical or spiritual concept, there is actually a scientific basis for it. Research has shown that intuition is a combination of your past experiences, your current environment, and your subconscious mind working together to provide you with information that your conscious mind may not be aware of. This is explained more in-depth In the book, "Gut Feelings: The Intelligence of the Unconscious," by Gerd Gigerenzer.
Our intuition is more than just a thought—it’s a deeper connection to our unconscious.
6. Pay attention to your dreams
Dreams can be a powerful source of intuition, as they often reflect your subconscious thoughts and feelings. Keep a dream journal and pay attention to recurring themes or symbols, as they may hold important messages from your intuition.
Another study published in the journal "Consciousness and Cognition" found that people who pay attention to their dreams are better able to tap into their intuition and make more informed decisions.
7. Keep a journal
Keeping a journal can be a helpful way to activate your intuition. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and hunches, and then go back and read them later. You may notice patterns or themes that can help guide you in your decision-making.
Activating your intuition is a powerful way to navigate life's challenges. You can tap into the power of your intuition and make decisions that align with your deepest values and desires. This can feel challenging at first, but the more you practice connecting to that part of you that implicitly knows the answer, the easier it will be.
