Every day, we fill our heads with other people’s noise: feeds from social media, conference calls, texts from friends and family. We spend hours each day consuming other people’s voices and opinions. When was the last time you listened to your body?

The power of deep body wisdom

I remember being a chubby kid. It was uncomfortable knowing that I looked different than everyone else. I wanted to be leaner. So I read and did all the things that ‘worked.’

It was a vicious cycle. I would make progress, lapse in discipline, and end up in the same situation. Only each time, I’d feel worse.

Then someone told me something that changed my life.

I was at Lollapalooza, of all places. On my eighteenth birthday, of all days. And the message that changed my perspective came from a fortune teller, of all people.

“You’re not listening,” she said. “All you have to do is listen to your body. It will tell you everything you need to know.”

I wasn’t sure what she meant at first. But the more I puzzled over her words, the more the idea appealed to me.

Before grabbing a Twix bar, I’d ask myself, “Am I really hungry?”

The answer was usually ‘NO.’

Soon I found that when I let it guide my actions, my body had a way of leveling out where it was healthy and I was strong — without too much thought, effort, or agony. It was a revelation.

I got good at listening to my body. That deep voice warned me away from dangerous situations. It asked for essentials like food, water, and rest — even when I didn’t realize I needed it. It had a talent for finding fun, mischief, and joy.

But sometimes it’s so quiet, it’s hard to hear. 

When you’re overwhelmed by noise, stop and listen to your body

The times you are most likely to ride roughshod over your body’s requests tend to be when you’re too tuned into other people’s noise. When you’re overscheduled or stressed out, exhausted or sick and still trying to get things done. When you’re doomscrolling social . . .

That’s when it’s time to take a step back and listen.

That’s your challenge: find out what your body needs. Listen, give, receive, recharge, and renew.

You may be surprised by what you learn when you take the time to truly listen to yourself.