Listen to your body

Our bodies have a language and are constantly communicating with us and sending signals, good and bad.

Many of us often miss these signals because of our busy lifestyles. From something as simple as a headache, lightheadedness, chest pain, blurry vision or other aches and pains in the body, we have constant communication from our bodies.

If we take the time to feel and listen to these signals, we can catch illnesses early and treat them swiftly. And remember, these signals are not just for supposedly “unhealthy” individuals. How often have you heard of a healthy and active person who dropped down from a heart attack?

Staying vigilant and listening to the body’s signals

Perhaps someone fit and healthy you know just found out they have cancer and it is already in stage 4? Or you might hear of a supposedly fit and healthy individual who suddenly needs a kidney transplant or a blood transfusion.

This kind of thing means we all need to be vigilant and listen to our bodies, even though we are healthy and active or prefer to relax on the couch at home. One thing is for sure, nothing really happens in the blink of an eye when it comes to body-related illnesses.

The body actually speaks to us and informs us well in advance when it is not functioning, and it typically does so slowly. The signals may be so faint that you can miss them, but they are definitely there. Very often, we ignore signs and signals because we rate them as “minor” problems and do nothing or we resort to self-medication.

This is not always the best solution, so we need to learn to tune into ourselves better and know when it’s time to seek a medical professional’s help. You, obviously, don’t want to become a hypochondriac, but in the times in which we are living, it’s best not to take chances when it comes to your health.

Understanding your body’s signals and prioritising self-care

In essence, you need to learn to listen closely to your body as it communicates with you daily. Don’t be too quick to self-medicate each time you feel an ache or pain in your body.

Try and figure out the cause first. For example, a headache can be caused by hunger, dehydration or fatigue. These three symptoms can be fixed with food, a beverage and a nap.

You must remember that your body works 24 hours every day, even when you are sleeping. So when you wake up every morning, assess how you feel and check if there are any signals of pain or discomfort.

When you feel something’s out of the ordinary as you go about your day, take a moment to tune into yourself and decipher what signal your body is sending you.

It does not always have to be doom and gloom with illnesses and injuries. But even when you feel energetic and full of life, assess what it is you have “fed” your body and try to continuously feed it with that winning combo. And don’t forget, listen to your body – it’s constantly speaking to you.

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