Body signals went ignored as I lived by the numbers for years. I walked a set number of steps daily, no matter how tired or unwell I felt. I pushed through exhaustion, skipped sleep, and worked endlessly to check every task off my list, despite my body’s need for rest.

I would adhere to a rigorous diet for weeks, ignoring my rumbling stomach and hunger pangs while tracking points, calories, or carbohydrates. However, after the diet ended, I would overindulge in junk food and sweets until I felt ill and embarrassed. At the same time, I had trouble fitting into a certain dress size and seeing a certain number on the scale.

In addition to my physical misery, I felt like a failure and convinced myself that something was wrong with me when I failed to reach my “number targets.”

Perhaps you recognize some of this. Perhaps you are working past your breaking point, exercising through discomfort, and eating in ways that make you feel drained, bloated, or ill.

Perhaps, like me, you are condemning your body for being insufficiently tough, skinny, strong, or just plain good.

The fact is, though, that your body is not to blame for any of this.

Your body is communicating with you throughout the day, whether you are aware of it or not. It continuously informs you of what it needs to maintain your comfort, health, and 

The problem is that, in an effort to please others around us, we have all been taught to disregard our bodies’ signals. We have been advised what and when to eat since we were very little. We are instructed on how to live, behave, and look in order to blend in. We have also learnt to evaluate our lives and ourselves “by the numbers” throughout the years.

However, what if you made the decision to listen to your body and stop allowing those statistics to dictate your life? What if you could believe that your body possesses a profound understanding that will keep you robust and healthy?

Here are some ways to connect with your body so that you can hear, feel, and then respect its requirements. Try each one and discover what suits you best.

Listening to Your Body

1. Respect it.

Start by lovingly and respectfully thinking about and communicating with your body. Try doing this again if you are not sure how to accomplish it.

Greetings, Body

You are just the way you are, and I love that.

I am grateful for everything you have done for me throughout the years.

I appreciate everything you do for me every day.

I respect your expertise in knowing how to heal.

I will look after you because I trust you to look after me.

I swear that I will constantly pay attention to you and grant your requests so that you can recover and prosper.

As long as we are together, my dear body, I shall talk to you with love and care.

Thank you.

Make a commitment to change any negative ideas you may have about your body to ones of appreciation for how effectively it functions and the various ways it supports you throughout the day. Choose your favorite body part, if you would like, and make a commitment to replace any negative ideas you may have about it with a good one about your nose, hands, or teeth.

2. Connect body and mind.

Using your breath and your sense of touch together is the simplest approach to link your mind and body. Put your hand over your heart to start. Take note of how your chest rises and falls with each breath and how your heart beats beneath your palm. Now take a deep inhale into your abdomen while closing your eyes. Breathe out softly after holding it for a time.

Concentrate on the sound of your inhale and exhale as you continue to breathe deeply and regularly. Continue to relax by taking in and exhaling.

Now pay attention to what your body is telling you.

Is it tense? Relaxed? Tired? Hungry? Thirsty? Jittery? Look for any areas that seem to be harboring strain. Is that area stiff or taut? Is there anything about you that hurts or makes you nervous? Listen intently for a time. What you discover about what is actually happening inside of you can surprise you.

3. Ask what your body needs in the moment.

Now, find out what your body needs to feel better immediately. Be prepared to meet that need when it responds.

• Try this breathing exercise if your body is experiencing anxiety. Repeat until you feel more at ease. Pull your shoulders all the way up to your ears, then let out a whoosh.
  
• If you are hungry, quickly get a nutritious food.
  
• You should drink some water if you are thirsty.
  
• Take a quick walk as a break if you are feeling restless.
  
• Try some yoga positions or stretching if you are stiff or achy.
  
• If you can, take a nap if you are exhausted. Try taking a two-minute vacation if not. Shut your eyes and visualize yourself .
  
  unwinding in a serene, lovely setting. During those two minutes, let go of your concerns and fatigue and enjoy the sensation of peaceful relaxation.

4. Ask what your body needs to stay healthy in the future.

After that, take some time to consider what your body needs in order to recover and flourish in the long run.

• Should you return to the gym?
  
• Is it necessary to cease eating at night?
  
• To get a better night’s sleep, is it necessary to update your mattress?
  
• Do you have to ask for assistance at home or at work?
  
• Does a massage need to be scheduled?
  
• Do you have to forgive someone or yourself?
  
• Should you start advocating for yourself?

Choose the one thing you are certain your body needs to cure itself at this moment. Choose one easy action you can do now to start making long-term, healthful improvements. Make a commitment to doing so. Then, tomorrow and the day after, make a commitment to take one more tiny step until it turns into a healthy habit.

5. Stop living “by the numbers.”

Make the decision to stop living your life based on numbers. Rather, make the decision to let your body serve as your guide to mental and physical well-being. You can not get this wrong, so stop worrying about failing. Your body is always aware of what it requires.

Remind yourself of your importance to others around you as well as to yourself. Your thoughts and emotions are important. Your physical appearance is important. And that body will return the favor if you treat it with love and respect.

Take care of your body, as Jim Rohn suggests. You are simply required to reside there.

Body Signals

Body signals are the subtle messages our bodies send us every day, guiding us toward balance, health, and well-being—if only we take the time to listen, understand, and respond with care. Whether it’s hunger, fatigue, stress, or discomfort, our bodies constantly communicate their needs, urging us to nourish, rest, and move in ways that support our overall health. Ignoring these signals can lead to burnout, illness, or imbalance, but by tuning in and honouring what our bodies truly need, we can create a healthier, more fulfilling life.