Zone 8 – Note G – Pancreas: Fearful and Overwhelmed vs. Accountability
Solar Plexus Region: Feeling / Response
When life’s demands feel overwhelming, one’s capacity for joy and pleasure may be inhibited. This may lead to overworking and taking life too seriously and logically in an effort to “get ahead” and break free from these stressful external situations. The individual may be impatient, have diminished sense of humor, and feel anger from others or from within. Fear frequently accompanies feelings of being overwhelmed.
Fear and overwhelm may result from feeling always observed and judged (most common in first and second children) and pressured to grow up and be responsible before developing the necessary skills and maturity in life. Enduring a harsh upbringing such as frequent punishment may elicit feelings of guilt and further inhibit the capacity to feel joy and pleasure.
Fear and overwhelm may affect the stomach and lower digestive tract, blood sugar issues (diabetes, hypoglycemia, sugar cravings), tense muscles, poor sense of balance, aversion to touch, or lack of physical sensation.
Conversely, when the individual is able to be accountable for their actions and take responsibility for their life, they are able to set appropriate boundaries with others and better manage their time. They may have a more positive outlook on life and feel more capable of handling its challenges. This leads to increased feelings of joy, humor, and love.
The capacity to be accountable is often hampered by feelings of being judged or misunderstood. This can lead to taking on too much responsibility in an effort to prove oneself or seeking approval from others. On the other hand, one may also avoid making decisions out of fear of being wrong.
When accountable, one may have increased energy and vitality, better digestion and blood sugar control, improved muscle tone, a sense of ease and grounding, and an overall sense of well-being.
If you find yourself frequently feeling overwhelmed by decisions or take on too much responsibility, consider whether you might benefit from learning how to set boundaries and be more accountable in your life. This can help reduce stress and improve your overall sense of well-being.
To learn more about this zone, consider the following books:
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink
