I don’t know about you, but for me, when I hear someone saying, listen to your body for cues as to what it needs in the moment, I find it difficult to do that! And I’ve been on a journey to get better at it, and I wanted to share with you today some of the things that are helping.
This is so important. I believe it’s a life skill really to be able to tune into our bodies. And it’s one we were all born with but got disconnected from over time.
As kids, we would stop eating when we weren’t hungry or refuse food even. We’d fall asleep wherever we were when we needed to. But over time and often guided by others, we learned to override the signals from within and adjust to what other’s expected or what external conditions needed from us.
It's time to change that! As you listen more to your body’s wisdom, you not only nurture your health, but you also deepen your connection to yourself and to Spirit.
And from there, you can rock your world!
So, let’s start with knowing that our bodies are always speaking to us.
Sometimes your body’s wisdom whispers to you. It feels like a gentle nudge or a fleeting thought: to take a breath, to stretch out your body, to drink some water. Consider this for a minute, are you getting some of those nudges? How are they showing up for you?
Sometimes your body shouts! These show up as headaches, fatigue, tension, or even illness. The shouts are more typical when you’ve been ignoring the whispers for too long. Are you getting some shouts from your body currently? I know I am. To a certain extent, to my chagrin, I’ve ended up run down and on antibiotics, despite being on holidays and feeling like I was taking care of myself!
And the message I was getting? Slow down even more!
✨ Learning to listen to your body’s wisdom is one of the most powerful acts of self-care you can practice. If you feel you haven’t been doing that at all, start with paying attention to the nudges or shouts you’re already getting. And start doing what you can to act on them. More water? An early night? Saying no to that work or family event? Having a day to yourself?
Your body holds the key to your energy, mood, and wellbeing if you’re willing to listen. As Sue Morter puts it, the Soul speaks to the body and the body speaks to the mind. The mind’s job is to listen to the body! If you’ve been trying to think your way to solutions, whether in the context of your health, your relationships, your career or any other goals you may have currently, you are missing out on a major piece of the equation.
To support you in tuning in more, here are some simple practices to work with:
- Body scanning: Take a minute to mentally scan from head to toe, noticing tension, temperature, or sensations without judgment.
- Energy mapping: Track when you naturally feel most alert or tired during the day. Adjust your schedule where possible to match your energy peaks.
- Intuitive Movement: Ask yourself, What kind of movement would feel good right now? Maybe it’s a walk, stretching, or even dancing in your kitchen? This one is my favourite currently!
As we move from Summer into Autumn, it’s a good reminder that just as nature moves in seasons, so do we. Even now, in mid-August and despite some hot weather, you may be noticing a natural pull toward slower, more grounding activities, earlier bedtimes, different foods? Honouring these shifts keeps you aligned with your body’s natural cycles, reducing stress and boosting vitality.
Your body knows what it needs to keep you at your best. So remember, when you feel a twinge of discomfort or a burst of energy, when you crave rest or feel the urge to move, that’s your body speaking.
What would change in your life if you trusted those signals?
This week, get curious. What is your body telling you? Choose one body signal (perhaps one you usually override) and honour it.
Rest when you’re tired.
Move when you’re restless.
Drink water when you’re thirsty.
Notice the difference it makes and consider if you want to make a commitment to listening and acting more on your body’s wisdom. It is a gateway to more joy, better health, more ease and greater success.
If you’d like some additional support to tune into your body and generate greater ease and wellbeing in your life, be sure to explore my Radical Wellbeing Activation Card Deck. Find out more and purchase your deck here.