Listening to Your Body Is Not Enough

Health professionals tell individuals to listen to their body, yet it is a common misstep to jump from “hearing” to a decided conclusion, wherein the solution may not actually fit what the body “said.” The idyllic rule to listen to your body is under the monstrous assumption that you know, not only what it is telling you, but how to interpret the message and, more importantly, what to do about it. For example: If our body is feeling fatigued, a popular conclusion is to seek rest. But what if our body is communicating a different need?

When my child says, “I’m thirsty,” the logical solution is to hydrate them. When I was a very young child, I told my mom I wanted her to buy “that shampoo.” When my mom asked me why, I told her it was because I wanted red curly hair. Our bodies are similar. Some indicators they give us are simple, but some messages may say I need this when actually it is just reaching for what it understands. 

Can you hear a loud shout from your body and get the message wrong? Yes. In fact it happens all the time. Your mind may crave fruit when it is indicating hydration needs; or if you crave chocolate, it may be that you need magnesium, healthy fats, antioxidants, and/or energy. If your body feels tired, the instinct may be to rest or to push through, but do you know for sure which call to make? Depending on your recent activity, sleep, nutrition, and recovery, it may mean that rest is essential — though if you are tired because of a lack of conditioning, your rest protocol should look different. Your body may say that your knees hurt, so you assume hiking is no longer in your cards without athletic tape or a brace, but it may mean that your shoes are too worn down, or your gait has changed, or that you have a nutrition gap.

So when health professionals tell you to listen to your body, what are they really communicating? Ultimately, they are broadly exhorting us to be aware and attentive to our bodies, to learn and understand our bodies. 

Like caring for a child, we would never simply act according to the statements or pleas from the child; we would interpret, ask questions, discuss to explore, and then make a decision in their best interest. 

Do we all then need to become health and wellness professionals? For our own bodies, if a long, vibrant quality of life is of value, yes. I believe we do. That may mean hiring or consulting a professional, or becoming a curious explorer on your own.** Take note that wellness is more than just nutrition or diet; it is more than physical activity; it is also your peace, rest, mental and emotional well-being, and an honest consideration for the ebb and flow of your life. 

Next time you hear a message from your body, be like a child and ask it “why,” then ask it “why” again. The more you do this, the more you will be so in tune with your body that your questions will evolve. You’ll develop a keen sense of what your body needs because you will have been observing the feedback loop: body said A, I gave it B, and afterward I felt like C.

So next time you hear someone say “listen to your body,” know that listening is not the end point; it is the beginning of your process of having such a solid pulse on your body that you can give it what it truly needs to support your life and wellness goals.

Since we can’t jump to running a marathon, we have to start smaller. Exercise the new habit of listening and exploring in everyday moments, not just the injuries and food cravings. So…what is your body telling you right now? side-eyes water jug and promptly takes a sip

Remember to absorb what you learn, adapt, and keep learning.

**If AI tools are your go-to research platform to support you as you educate yourself, a word of caution: AI platforms will answer your questions. So be well-practiced in asking thoughtful initial questions, insightful follow-up questions, and think of the big picture. AI chat platforms will look through a small tunnel if you are not thorough in your AI prompt.