Health | Listen to your body - The warning signs we often ignore

Sometimes the body whispers. Sometimes it speaks loudly. The challenge is learning to listen before a whisper becomes a crisis.

For many people, busy schedules, work, family responsibilities and everyday stress make it easy to dismiss changes in how they feel. A headache becomes “just stress”. Exhaustion becomes something to push through. A racing heart is blamed on too much coffee. A nagging pain is tolerated because there simply isn’t time to stop.

But the body often gives us clues when something is not quite right, and paying attention to those clues can make a difference.

Anthony Jackson learned that lesson the hard way. “I kept telling myself that I was fine. I was tired but I thought I just needed to rest. There were other things I noticed, too, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of them. Looking back, I realise my body was telling me to slow down and get checked. I ignored it because I had too many things to do,” he said.

His experience is a reminder that ignoring symptoms does not make them disappear. Sometimes the decision to ‘wait and see’ can delay treatment for a condition that requires medical attention.

On the other hand, listening to your body does not mean becoming fearful of every ache or change. It means becoming more aware of what is normal for you and paying attention when something changes.

Micala Edwards described taking a different approach. “I started paying attention to how I felt instead of automatically pushing through everything. When I was unusually tired, I rested. When something didn’t feel right, I didn’t convince myself that it was nothing. I learned that taking care of myself isn’t being dramatic, it is being responsible,” she said.

WHEN YOUR BODY SAYS STOP

Some warning signs should never be ignored. Sudden difficulty seeing, speaking, walking, thinking clearly or communicating can be signs of a medical emergency. So can chest pain or significant shortness of breath. If these symptoms occur suddenly, don’t wait to see whether they improve, seek emergency medical care immediately. A stroke or heart attack requires urgent treatment, and every minute can matter. Other symptoms may not require an emergency response but still deserve attention.

For example, if you exercise, there are days when you simply don’t feel up to your usual workout. If you are sore and exhausted, your body may need recovery rather than another intense session. A lighter workout, or a rest day, may be more appropriate.

That doesn’t necessarily mean spending the entire day on the couch. If you are not experiencing pain or other concerning symptoms, gentle movement may still be beneficial. A certified personal trainer can also help develop a programme that balances exercise with recovery.

Getting older can bring changes in strength, flexibility and mobility. Wear and tear can affect joints and the cushioning between the bones of the spine, sometimes causing pain and restricting movement.

Staying active can help, but persistent pain should not simply be accepted as part of ageing. If pain continues or interferes with normal activities, speak with a doctor. Depending on the cause, a specialised rehabilitation or exercise programme may help manage symptoms and improve movement.

Feeling lightheaded or dizzy, particularly when accompanied by a racing, fluttering or unusually slow heartbeat, is another signal worth noting. If these symptoms last for several minutes, happen repeatedly or occur alongside other concerning symptoms, talk with a healthcare professional.

Also, if you experience serious chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficulty walking or problems speaking, seek emergency medical attention. Even exercise can provide clues. If a workout that normally feels manageable suddenly feels unusually difficult and your heart rate stays elevated longer than expected, don’t simply assume that you need to work harder.’ Your body may be telling you that something has changed.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the body also responds to emotional pressure. When stress becomes constant, you may notice headaches, stomach problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or a general feeling that you are running on empty.

You may also find that things that previously didn’t bother you suddenly feel overwhelming. Those can be signs that it’s time to take stress management more seriously.

Exercise, meaningful relationships, meditation, laughter and taking regular breaks can all help. Sometimes, however, the most important step is identifying and addressing the source of the stress.

Mental and emotional health can also affect the body. Depression and anxiety may be accompanied by changes in sleep, appetite, concentration, energy and social behaviour. Withdrawing from people, losing interest in activities you normally enjoy or experiencing significant changes in eating and sleeping patterns are reasons to speak with a doctor or mental health professional.

Food is another area where changes may be worth noticing. If you suddenly find yourself eating substantially more, or much less than usual, do not automatically dismiss it. Stress can influence appetite, while depression and some medical conditions can also cause significant changes in eating patterns.

Rather than simply trying to force your eating habits back to normal, consider what might be behind the change.

Sometimes the body’s message is simply: I need rest! Regularly tossing and turning or struggling to sleep may be a sign that something needs attention.

Adults generally need at least seven hours of sleep each night. Establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up routine, keeping the bedroom comfortable, limiting screens around bedtime, staying active during the day and avoiding large meals and caffeine too close to bedtime can help.

Listening to your body is only the first step. The next is communicating what you are experiencing:

When visiting your doctor, write down your symptoms, when they began, what makes them better or worse, and anything you have tried to relieve them.

Also, provide a complete list of what you take, including prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.

Sometimes your body is telling you to rest. Sometimes it is telling you to slow down, change a habit or manage your stress, and sometimes, particularly when symptoms appear suddenly or severely, it is telling you that you need medical attention.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com