How To Listen To What Your Body Needs

Sometimes, it's all too easy to forget that our body knows what's up.

If we're sad, our throat starts to burn wanting to shed a tear or two. If we're happy, we get an energetic, fuzzy feeling - and if we're burnt out, stressed or anxious we might feel aches and pains in our body.

The thing is: our body knows what we need before our minds have even caught on; that's why it's important to listen.

Often, it's trying to tell you something you didn't know. Let's suss it out.

Get enough sleep

This might sound like an obvious one, but it's a biggie. Going to sleep at a reasonable time and getting your 8 hours (between 6 and 9 actually) can affect so many elements of your wellbeing. 

From mood regulation to your brains ability to reason, sleep is up there with one of the most important things for your mind and body. If your body is telling you to get more rest, a better quality of sleep or you're generally you're feeling knackered all the time - try and set an earlier bed time and put your screens down well and truly before sleep time.

Eat well 

Though we're all partial to a chocolate bar or 3 or an entire pizza to ourselves, sometimes you just gotta prioritise your health. From eating enough iron (like spinach) to vit c, it all has an impact on your body and mood. 

If you're anything like me, you prefer all the carbs to veggies and fruit, but getting your daily dose of greens (and purples, red, yelllows...you get the pic) is essential to your bod to make sure it works to its full potensh. Your body tells you every day what it needs - if you're constipated you need fibre, if you're bloated you need more fruits and veg, if you're irritable you prob need water - the list goes on.

Find ways to release stress

From dance classes to reading to meditaiton, there's something out there for everyone to let off some steam and relacc. Love gardening? Grow your own cute veggies - it's been proven to reduce stress.

Need to find escapism in a good book? Go treat yourself to a crisp new book to get stuck into. 

If you feel tightly wound, down, anxious or like you just need time for yourself and your interests, take note, prioritise yo'self and find a healthy outlet for your stress. Your body will thank you later.

 Know when to slow down

In a world where it's become the norm to move, work and play at speed, it might seem alien to slow the heck down. But it's not only beneficial for your body, it's also great for your mind. When you're on the go CONSTANTLY, it can trigger your fight or flight response - and that's no bueno. Slow down intentionally. 

From finding an outlet for you stress levels to getting enough sleep, it's never been more important to listen to your body; rest if you need rest, there will be other opportunities to party. Eat well and take good care of yourself - the alternative could be developing aches, pains and even anxiety - so listen to your body, it deserves it ✨