There’s a constant communicator within you: your body. It doesn't use words, but instead whispers, flares, sighs, or glows to get your attention. If you want to truly know yourself, start by listening to what it’s been saying all along.
Many of us were never taught how to tune in to our bodies. Learning to listen is a critical skill for well-being.
The Subtle Art of the Body’s Language
Your body is expressive. Sometimes elegantly so. Sometimes it’s like a toddler trying to get your attention, throwing tantrums not out of malice, but because it desperately needs you to notice something.
For instance, imagine someone who's had a long-standing relationship with alcohol. We won't make alcohol the villain—it's the relationship and the patterns around it that often tell the deeper story. After years of sipping away emotions or celebrating a little too hard, one morning you wake up and feel a dull ache on the right side of your abdomen. A few days later, the whites of your eyes appear slightly yellow. That’s not just a coincidence. That’s your liver sending a message that it’s overwhelmed, working harder than it should, and it needs you to take a step back.
Or maybe you recently made a few positive changes: you started drinking more water, moving your body every day, and choosing foods that are a little more whole and a little less processed. Suddenly, your skin glows. You have more energy. You’re less irritable. That’s your body saying, “Thank you. I feel heard.”
Physical Signs Your Body Is Thriving or Struggling
Our bodies send both green flags and red flags, and neither should be ignored.
When the body feels loved, it says so through:
- Clearer skin.
- Regular digestion.
- Restful sleep.
- Steady moods.
- A general feeling of lightness and vitality.
When the body feels neglected, it speaks louder:
- Chronic fatigue.
- Bloating and discomfort.
- Frequent headaches.
- Irregular cycles or hormonal swings.
- Random body pains or unexplained weight changes.
And then there are the quieter but equally important expressions, like when your mood dips for no apparent reason. When your heart races during rest. When your back aches after hours of emotional tension. These are not random; they’re part of the language, too.
What Self-Love Really Looks Like
In today's world, when we hear 'self-love', it often comes with images of bubble baths and shopping sprees. But whilst self-pampering is important, we need to delve deeper—beyond skin-deep self-love. True self-love is quieter, more consistent. It looks like:
- Taking deep, intentional breaths.
- Stretching when your body feels stiff.
- Saying no when your soul feels tired.
- Getting help when your mind feels heavy.
Your body doesn’t need the world, just your attention. It needs you to notice, to care, and to respond.
Why Listening to Your Body Prevents Bigger Health Problems
As a doctor, I often meet people whose bodies have already been crying out for years. And while medical tests, scans, and prescriptions are vital, I often wish we could rewind to the moment their body first whispered something wasn’t right.
The truth is: you have more power than you think. You are not helpless. You are not clueless. Your body has already started the conversation. You just have to listen.
So today, pause and ask yourself:
- How is my body trying to communicate with me?
- What has it been saying all along?
I like to pay particular attention to my body as I would to my inner child, ensuring she is well fed, feels safe, seen, and heard. Pour into you, so you can adequately pour into the world.
