Your body is telling you something
Please pay close attention
Hi friends,
I recently went through a period of poor health, and it forced me to take a step back to reflect on how I’d been ignoring some of the warning signs.
My mind: * Tasks on the to-do list *
My body: Feeling drained, stomach pains, dry skin…
We tend to say,
"It's all in our minds.”
“Mind over matter, right?"
Well, sometimes it's not just a mental barrier. Sometimes we're simply pushing ourselves too hard.
We are often don’t even realise we are overextending ourselves, whether it's overeating, overworking, or simply dismissing the signs our bodies try to send us.
But here's the thing: there's actually a disconnect between our minds and bodies, especially when it comes to stress and unresolved emotions.
What I’ve learned is that our bodies have a way of communicating with us, but we have to be willing to listen.
What can you do to pay more attention to your body?
Here are a few things I’ve learned about the mind-body connection:
If you are hysterical, it’s historical.
Pay attention when you have strong reactions or feel particularly triggered by something or someone. Your overreactions may be a clue to unresolved emotions.
Whenever I feel myself being triggered, I take a moment to reflect on what might be causing those intense reactions.
I save a checklist that I use to do some quick note-taking/journalling:
What specific emotions am I feeling?
What do I feel I’m lacking in this situation?
What is this emotion telling me I need?
Where in my life have I most needed it from and from whom?
How can I give myself what I need?
Verbalising the answers to these questions can be useful because if we don’t acknowledge our emotions, they tend to be expressed in destructive ways.
I came across this quote in an article in Human Parts that illustrates this point:
“At some point, I stopped being able to properly articulate my feelings, my anxiety. So my body began to do it for me.”
Stress/unresolved feelings often manifest physically
Why is it that we often get stomach aches or gut issues when we’re stressed out?
That’s because there's actually a strong connection between our gut and brain - known as the gut-brain axis.
Why is it that we might feel physically tense and sweat when feel anxious?
Our bodies have evolved to protect us from threats by triggering the fight or flight response. But sometimes, our bodies go into overdrive, even when there's no immediate danger.
When we're faced with a threat or intense emotions, our body kicks into high gear, resulting in increased muscle tension and achiness. It's crazy how our body's natural response to danger can manifest physically, even when the threat is emotional.
When we experience loss or grief, our bodies can react in unexpected ways.
We can have trouble sleeping, lose our appetite, or even develop physical pain.
It's not just in our heads. It’s our bodies are trying to process the emotional turmoil we're going through.
Exhaustion isn't just about physical tiredness.
Feeling drained and overwhelmed is a sign that you are not just physically tired but mentally and emotionally tired.
To rest the body properly, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith identified 7 types of rest we must take.
Physical Rest: Sleep, strength and move
Mental Rest: Be mindful, unplug and disengage
Spiritual Rest: Meditate and connect with your beliefs
Emotional Rest: Seek therapy and express your emotions
Sensory Rest: Be alone, be quiet or be in nature
Social Rest: Socialise and or not socialise
Creative Rest: Create and be inspired
Our bodies know exactly what we need. We just need to listen and be there for ourselves.
To listen to your body means that when you feel something, anything, you should consider it as a signal for something.
When something feels off or not quite right, you have to trust yourself and seek help.
A bonus tip I have for you is to not be afraid of advocating for yourself when seeking medical advice. Doctors can be overwhelmed or may not fully understand our experiences. But that doesn't mean we should dismiss our own symptoms. Remember, you know your body better than anyone else. I always make sure to write down all the symptoms I experience, so that I have the necessary data to effectively advocate for myself.
Take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you ignoring your body's signals? If so, what are you going to do about it?
Viv’s recommendations
⛩️Travel: Tokyo
I just came back from a wonderful trip to Tokyo. I haven’t been to Tokyo since I was 3 so it was lovely to be able to re-experience this city. I’ve been posting all my recs on my Instagram so follow me there to find out what I was up to.
✍🏻Course: Become A Prolific Digital Writer In 7 Days
I’ve been brushing up my digital writing skills to grow my newsletter and on LinkedIn through this free 7 day email course designed by Dickie Bush and Nicolas Cole, the creators of 🚢 Ship 30 for 30. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to improve their writing.
🔥Film: Elemental
I finally watched Elemental on the plane and it was a very warm and enjoyable watch. I absolutely loved the final line in the credits: With deep appreciation for those who help us burn brightly. The film made me reflect on the importance of having a strong community and being grateful for my support system.
In case you missed it: In my last newsletter, I shared my simple tips on how to level up at work.
A question for you!
How are you feeling lately?
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Thanks for reading!
Stay inspired,
Viv