A salve or ointment is an oil that is infused with the properties of a given herb and a wax base, like beeswax, Generally used for the skin. It is similar to an infusion in that the oil is used to extract the herbal properties either by a period of time or by warming the oil to speed the extraction. The wax is added to change the consistency for easier application and adherence.

Understanding Your Body's Signals to move forward in your Health and Wellness journey.

achor22
Mar 23
6 min read

Understanding Your Body's Signals. Every day, your body sends you messages about your health. Learning to understand these signals and make informed choices to address them may help prevent illness, and improve your overall quality of life. This post explores how to recognize and interpret some of the signs your body gives, so you can respond effectively to maintain balance in your health and make critical decisions to address issues when they arise. There are many, and only your truly honest and deeply mindful self awareness will allow you to really understand your body's signals.

Framed anatomical chart on a teal wall, surrounded by wooden shelves with bottles and jars. Warm lighting creates a rustic, educational mood. — listen to your body's signals

Why Listening to Your Body Matters in your Health and Wellness journey

Ignoring your body’s signals can lead to stress, fatigue, compounded damage over time or even serious health problems. For example, persistent headaches might indicate dehydration or a musculoskeletal imbalance from poor posture because of too many hours of sitting at your desk. While constant tiredness could be a signal because of nutritional deficiencies, body chemistry imbalances or sleep issues. The creaks, crackles, crunching sounds and popping in your joints when you move are another indicator. By paying attention to these cues, you may be able to address problems early and avoid complications.

Understanding your body also helps you tailor your lifestyle by incorporating small consistent changes for what works best for you. Everyone’s needs are different, so tuning in to your unique signals allows you to create a personalized approach to health and true wellness.

I cannot stress the fact enough, that you need to truly pay attention to what your body is telling you. That is only one of the very beginning steps to true wellness.

Common Body Signals and What They Mean

Here are some typical signals your body might send and how to interpret them:

Fatigue: Feeling tired throughout the day after a normal amount of sleep.
- Unusual lengthy tiredness or feeling totally 'wiped out' after normal daily physical activity could mean you need more rest, better nutrition, or anemia. That might indicate the need to include foods for bodily recovery, specific targeted increased nutritional content and/or some blood tests.
Thirst: This is a clear sign of dehydration. Drinking water regularly throughout the day supports energy and bodily functions.
- By the time you're thirsty you are already in the beginning stages of dehydration. Water isn't the only thing you need. Electrolytes and micronutrients are needed for correct electrochemical balance.
Hunger: True hunger signals a need for nourishment. Distinguish it from emotional eating or just having a craving for something.
- People mistakenly think that your bodies signal for hunger is the rumbling in your stomach. Its actually a deeper feeling in your throat and gut.
Pain: Pain is a warning sign. Sharp or persistent, acute pain should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
- Pain comes in many different forms- that deep nagging ache (that you ignore), the sharp, mildly painful click in your knee, the electric twinge in your shoulder, the pressure in your lower back or the base of your skull, pay attention.
Digestive changes: Bloating, constipation, or diarrhea can indicate dietary issues or food intolerances.
- Pin-pointing the cause of changes here is difficult to determine, simply because we don't realize how much we actually intake in any given day. The discipline of keeping a complete food journal is probably the best tool for determining food related problems. A food journal is only effective if you detail ALL your intakes and how your body eliminates. Chronic issues or sudden changes or distressing issues with bleeding need to be discussed with a health professional.
Mood shifts: Sudden changes in mood might relate to hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, stress, or lack of sleep.
- Although these are usually subtle, increasing your own honest self awareness is key to understanding these signals. Honest, Thoughtful, Self awareness is key here; depression, anger and other feelings and reactions that seem out of touch or an over-reaction or somehow 'off' are to be honestly reflected upon or looked into maybe with professional help. There are sometimes visceral reactions to things, that afterwards, seem an over-reaction; those are also signs you need to pay attention to and be truthful with yourself about how you react to things.

By recognizing these signals, you can take steps such as adjusting your diet, improving sleep habits, checking overly emotional reactions, changing physical exercise or movements or seeking medical advice.

Person meditating cross-legged in a sunlit forest. Wearing a black shirt and shorts, they exude calmness surrounded by tall trees and greenery. — active and relaxed stretching

Person meditating in a park at sunrise, sitting cross-legged on the grass. Sunlight filters through trees, creating a serene atmosphere. — mindful realization of your body's signals

A woman quietly praying at her kitchen table — Prayerful self examination

How to Tune In to Your Body’s Messages

Learning to listen to your body takes practice. Here are some practical ways to become more aware:

Keep a journal: Track your daily feelings, energy levels, and symptoms. Over time, patterns will emerge. A specific food journal can be key to your wellness.
Practice mindfulness: Spend a few minutes each day focusing on your bodily sensations while stretching and breathing deeply. This increases awareness of subtle signals.
Check in regularly: Pause during the day to ask yourself how you feel physically, mentally and emotionally.
Adjust based on feedback: If you notice certain foods or activities cause discomfort, modify your routine accordingly.
Honest self awareness: Be truthful with yourself, don't just brush things off or push them aside 'for later', you're noticing them for a reason. Log them in your journal. If they're nagging and causing concern seek help.

These habits help you build a stronger connection with your body and respond proactively to its needs.

Responding to Your Body’s Needs for a Better Wellness Journey

Once you identify what your body is telling you, take action to support your health:

Hydrate adequately: Drink water and electrolytes throughout the day, especially if you feel thirsty or notice dry skin.
Eat balanced meals: Choose nutrient-rich foods that satisfy hunger and provide energy and address deficiencies.
Incorporate herbs tonically: IF/when you know what is causing the signals , you can start supporting and nourishing the systems that gave you the signal. Don't just take a bunch of herbs like an OTC drug.
Rest well: Prioritize quality sleep and taking breaks from monotonous/repetitive tasks.
Move regularly: Physical activity improves circulation and mood but listen to your body, avoid poor form and overexertion.
Manage stress: Use relaxation techniques like daily prayer, deep breathing, stretching, yoga, exercise or hobbies to reduce tension.
Seek professional help: Don’t hesitate to consult healthcare providers if symptoms persist, worsen, concern you or you just don't understand the cause. Don't wait, you have these signals and thoughts for a reason.

By responding thoughtfully and honestly judging the reaction to your changes you reinforce positive habits and prevent minor issues from becoming serious.

High angle view of a balanced meal with vegetables, grains, and protein on a wooden table — Balanced nutrition supports body signals and wellness

Turning your bodies signal into true enhanced wellness

Once you have truly tuned into what your body is telling you, you have the responsibility of actually seeking the reason for the signals your body is giving you. Only then can you truly address the cause. Only then will you move towards real health and wellness. This can take many forms- evidence based research (DO NOT just 'google it'), consultations with different natural practitioners, medical testing and seeking a diagnosis from your doctor. Use EVERY tool we have available to us. We are in an amazing time where traditional knowledge and scientific evidence are both at our fingertips. Medical science has effective diagnostic capabilities. Thousands of years of traditional evidence is a wealth of knowledge. You are ultimately responsible for the actions taken to address the cause, be prayerful, be wise, be honest, be discerning, evaluate clearly, only then can YOU decide the path that fits you.

Final Thoughts on Listening to Your Body

Your body communicates constantly, offering clues about your health and well-being. Learning and then responding correctly to these signals allows you to take control of your wellness journey. Start by observing your daily habits and physical sensations, then make small adjustments that actually address your body’s needs. Only by connecting the dots of signals-to-cause-to-correction/treatment can you really move forward on your wellness journey. Acknowledging, understanding and reacting to your body's signals is the first crucial step. Peace

All information herein is intended for general information purposes only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical conditions. Individuals should always seek their health care provide before administering any suggestions stated above. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from use of any of the suggestions or preparations listed herein. Any application of the material herein is at the readers discretion and is his or her sole responsibility.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information or product(s) listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.