Loved this! When the "check engine" light flashes in our car, we don't (I hope) just put masking tape over keep going. And yet that's how we often treat our bodies. The warning signs are small and soft at first, then build and build until the scream demands our attention.
Awareness requires stillness, and that's my biggest challenge. One I am embracing: one ten-minute meditation, one walk without my phone, one silent car ride. Baby steps!
What stands out here is how stress isn’t just a mental experience, it shows up physically long before we fully acknowledge it.
Most people try to think their way out of stress, but the body often signals it first. Learning to notice those signals early changes how you respond before things build up.
That shift turns awareness into prevention instead of reaction.
This is such an important point… you’ve captured something many of us overlook.
Stress really does begin in the body, often in subtle ways we’re not used to paying attention to… tight shoulders, shallow breathing, fatigue, even small shifts in posture. By the time it reaches our thoughts, it’s usually been building for a while.
I love how you framed awareness as prevention rather than reaction. That shift feels key. When we start listening to those early signals, we create a small window of choice… where we can pause, soften, and respond with care instead of getting swept up in it.
It’s a quieter kind of skill, but incredibly powerful over time.
Thanks for bringing this into the conversation… it adds a really grounded, practical layer to the idea of holistic stress management.
A.S. with a significant timbering argument (wind & tree got round one)… so often interjects a different language that so often clouds signals …. Lifetime with A.S., and 43yrs following argument phase
That’s a really interesting way to put it… and it sounds like you’ve had a long, lived experience with this “argument phase.”
What you’re pointing to about how a certain inner dialogue can “cloud the signals” really resonates. Sometimes it’s not the stress itself, but the story we layer on top of it that makes it harder to hear what the body is actually trying to say.
After so many years of noticing that pattern, there’s a kind of awareness already there… even if it still shows up. And maybe that’s part of the work: gently learning to separate the raw signal (what’s happening in the body) from the noise (the mental back-and-forth).
Not always easy, especially when it’s been there a long time… but even recognizing it, like you just did, is a meaningful step.
This resonated with me deeply. Just recently, I faced a situation at work that I was absolutely dreading. Because I hate conflict, I was prepared to go through with it anyway, but my body had other plans. A wicked headache and a horrid stomachache stopped me in my tracks. In the past, I would have pushed through, abandoning myself in the process. This time, even though it frightened me, I chose to listen. I stood up for myself, advocated for my needs, and the outcome was better than I could have hoped for. Plus, I was proud of myself.
For so long, I ignored what my body was trying to tell me. I’ve since learned that life becomes gentler and far easier when we listen. And yes, self-care is not indulgence; it is an act of respect.
Interesting how our bodies know better before the mind catches up… I am a big advocate of listening to our bodies more (our infinite wisdom) and I am glad you choose yourself first…
Thank you for this. I was a slow learner, but finally when my body repeatedly screamed at me I listened. My life and health is much better for it.
So happy to read that. And it’s great to see that people have good results when we listen to ourselves ❤️
Loved this! When the "check engine" light flashes in our car, we don't (I hope) just put masking tape over keep going. And yet that's how we often treat our bodies. The warning signs are small and soft at first, then build and build until the scream demands our attention.
Awareness requires stillness, and that's my biggest challenge. One I am embracing: one ten-minute meditation, one walk without my phone, one silent car ride. Baby steps!
Indeed… the masking tape example it’s great 😊 and yes I agree that awareness and silence are powerful tools
What stands out here is how stress isn’t just a mental experience, it shows up physically long before we fully acknowledge it.
Most people try to think their way out of stress, but the body often signals it first. Learning to notice those signals early changes how you respond before things build up.
That shift turns awareness into prevention instead of reaction.
This is such an important point… you’ve captured something many of us overlook.
Stress really does begin in the body, often in subtle ways we’re not used to paying attention to… tight shoulders, shallow breathing, fatigue, even small shifts in posture. By the time it reaches our thoughts, it’s usually been building for a while.
I love how you framed awareness as prevention rather than reaction. That shift feels key. When we start listening to those early signals, we create a small window of choice… where we can pause, soften, and respond with care instead of getting swept up in it.
It’s a quieter kind of skill, but incredibly powerful over time.
Thanks for bringing this into the conversation… it adds a really grounded, practical layer to the idea of holistic stress management.
Yeah, catching those early body signals really changes things it turns stress into something you can work with, not just react to.
Appreciate you adding that perspective ”
Loved it! ...as well as all your wellness articles!
Allen Kanerva | Founder | INSPYRD
Thank you. I appreciate your feedback 🙏
You’re very welcome.
A.S. with a significant timbering argument (wind & tree got round one)… so often interjects a different language that so often clouds signals …. Lifetime with A.S., and 43yrs following argument phase
🙏🏽❤️🖖🏼
That’s a really interesting way to put it… and it sounds like you’ve had a long, lived experience with this “argument phase.”
What you’re pointing to about how a certain inner dialogue can “cloud the signals” really resonates. Sometimes it’s not the stress itself, but the story we layer on top of it that makes it harder to hear what the body is actually trying to say.
After so many years of noticing that pattern, there’s a kind of awareness already there… even if it still shows up. And maybe that’s part of the work: gently learning to separate the raw signal (what’s happening in the body) from the noise (the mental back-and-forth).
Not always easy, especially when it’s been there a long time… but even recognizing it, like you just did, is a meaningful step.
I can relate to this thanks for sharing. I really enjoyed reading it and I need to follow some of the suggestions.🫶
I am glad it resonated with you… and I am very happy that you found some tips you would like to follow.
This resonated with me deeply. Just recently, I faced a situation at work that I was absolutely dreading. Because I hate conflict, I was prepared to go through with it anyway, but my body had other plans. A wicked headache and a horrid stomachache stopped me in my tracks. In the past, I would have pushed through, abandoning myself in the process. This time, even though it frightened me, I chose to listen. I stood up for myself, advocated for my needs, and the outcome was better than I could have hoped for. Plus, I was proud of myself.
For so long, I ignored what my body was trying to tell me. I’ve since learned that life becomes gentler and far easier when we listen. And yes, self-care is not indulgence; it is an act of respect.
Interesting how our bodies know better before the mind catches up… I am a big advocate of listening to our bodies more (our infinite wisdom) and I am glad you choose yourself first…
I add this 3-part post:
https://substack.com/@martysimon/p-178911806
https://substack.com/@martysimon/p-179412974
https://substack.com/@martysimon/p-179838976
Thanks for sharing. I will read it soon.