What Does It Mean to Listen to Your Body?

Did you know that your body is talking to you? I know that sounds a little crazy, but it actually has quite a bit to say. Are you listening to your body?

Listening to your body is like listening to another person speak. But, instead of words, the body talks in other ways. It can tell you if you’re hungry or full or starting to get sick. These are some of the well-known ways that your body speaks. This is just the tip of the iceberg; there is so much more your body is trying to say! 

When Should You Listen to Your Body?

The easy answer is all the time! Your body is always saying something, but sometimes it talks a little louder. One of these is when you start to get sick. It may start with a tickle in the throat or a stuffed-up nose. These are signs of sickness brewing, and you can either take action or ignore it. You may start consuming more Vitamin C or drinking more water, hoping to nip whatever it is in the bud. 

Another time you should listen to your body is when it is tired or fatigued. This could mean you need to get more sleep. It could also be a sign that you need to rest in another way, such as by spending time alone or taking a break from checking things off a to-do list for the day. 

Take inventory of how your body is feeling regularly! If something feels off or different than usual, don’t ignore it. Instead, dig into the cause(s) of what you’re experiencing!

But, Why Is This Important?

Why do we ignore what our body tells us, making things harder for ourselves and others in the long run? Let’s use the examples above to discover why listening to your body is vital. If you notice that you are starting to get sick but choose to ignore it, the sickness will worsen. What begins as a mild respiratory infection may lead to an ear infection or pneumonia. 

Fatigue is another thing that won’t go away on its own; it requires you to take action. If you try to keep pushing forward, choosing not to go to bed earlier or continuing to add tasks to your list, then the fatigue will grow. Unchecked fatigue can lead to a poor immune system, burnout, anxiety and depression, and more. 

As humans, we often do just one more thing, work just a little longer, or put off resting for just one more day. It is part of our American culture but not one to be celebrated. What starts as something inconsequential, such as a scratchy throat or feeling a little tired, will grow and grow and grow until we are forced to stop.

How Do You Actually Listen to Your Body?

A simple way to start listening to your body is to ask yourself, “What am I feeling right now?”. Take note of EVERYTHING, and write it down if possible so you don’t forget. Think about the emotions you are feeling, using an emotion wheel if necessary. Also, assess how you feel physically. Are you having pain anywhere? Is your heart rate regular? (60-100 beats per minute is normal unless your doctor tells you otherwise.) Are you having trouble sitting still, or are you tired? Start at your head and end with your toes so you won’t miss anything. A great tool I found that includes emotions and physical sensations is the “Emotion Sensation Feeling Wheel,” created by Lindsay Braman. Even if you stop there, it is a helpful way to start creating a practice of listening to your body. 

Now What?

As the habit develops, take a step further in considering why you are feeling the way you feel. Ask yourself, “Why?” and then ask it again, and then again if necessary. 

When you begin to discover the why behind the feelings, you know what action(s) you can take. What do you need more or less of? Do you need to take time to rest? Are you getting enough sleep or caring for your body well? Have you spent time with people you love, or do you need to spend time alone? Check out “Top 10 Self-Care Tips for Mental Health” for a few ideas! As author and speaker Brene Brown said, “It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture where exhaustion is seen as a status symbol.” 

Remember: Your body is talking. Are you listening? Start by making a small change, and then keep going from there!