Do you know that your body holds deep wisdom? Every day, it sends subtle signals to guide you, a yawn that asks you to rest, a racing heart that calls for a pause, or a heavy feeling that reminds you to slow down.
Recently, I was reminded of this truth in a very real way. After a late night and a busy morning, I set off on a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Birmingham for an African heritage celebration I had been invited to. Barely an hour into the journey, it felt as if I had been driving forever. Surely, I can’t be this tired, I thought. But my body said otherwise, my eyes grew heavy, my concentration wavered.
Then came the dreaded heavy traffic on the M1, the last thing I needed. Determined to keep going, I fought against what I felt: blasting the air conditioner, chewing gum, playing music, anything to force my body to stay awake.
But as we crawled through the traffic, we eventually came to the cause: a serious accident. Police cars and ambulances were on the scene, clearing the way for commuters. I couldn’t help but wonder, was tiredness, distraction, or speed a factor?
As I spotted a service station sign just 1.5 miles ahead, I had a choice to make: stop and refresh, or keep pushing through. For 10 long minutes, I battled with my mind. ‘You can make it’, I told myself. ‘You’ll be late if you stop’. However, I eventually chose to listen to my body. I would rather be late to the event than to be pronounced ‘late’ in the news.
I pulled in, took a 30-minute power nap, and set off again feeling alert and renewed. The rest of the drive was smooth and even enjoyable, I caught up on my audiobook and arrived just in time, missing little to none.
That experience left me thinking: how often do we ignore these signals in our everyday lives? We push through tiredness, stress, and overwhelm, sometimes at the expense of our health, relationships, and even safety. In our work, in our homes, and in our commitments, we can become so focused on “getting there” that we miss the signs telling us to slow down.
I’ve come to realise that my body is like my car’s engine. If the engine breaks down, the entire journey comes to a halt. Just as my car’s engine requires rest and regular maintenance, so does my body.
Ignoring your body’s messages can lead to exhaustion, stress, and even illness. Listening to your body isn’t a luxury; it’s an act of respect and a necessary part of sustaining your wellbeing. In our fast-paced jobs, going too fast can take the joy out of the experience. Over pushing ourselves can lead to burnout, which impacts our attention, causing mistakes, missed moments, and even harm that could have been prevented.
Here are three simple ways I discovered which can help you listen to your body:
Rest when you’re tired. Sleep and downtime aren’t signs of weakness; they are essential for healing, focus, and emotional balance.
Pause when you’re overwhelmed. A short break from the screen, a few deep breaths, or a quick walk can reset your nervous system and restore clarity.
Give yourself grace. It’s okay not to have it all together all the time. Extend kindness to yourself, just as you would to your colleagues and someone you love.
So, check in with yourself today; you might be running on empty and blaming yourself for not being able to sprint. Your health comes first because when your body feels strong, your mind follows.
Jim Rohn once said, when you feel good physically, you become more resilient, optimistic, and focused. Suddenly, that hard task doesn’t feel impossible anymore. That big goal doesn’t feel so far away.
When you choose to tune in and respond to your body with care, you strengthen your resilience, preserve your energy, and create a healthier, calmer version of yourself. Your body is always speaking.
The question is, are you ready to listen?
