Symptoms of Stress: What your body is trying to tell you

Deena Pralat
May 16
3 min read

Updated: Sep 17

Decoding Your Body's Secret Messages: The Mind-Body Connection

Are you tired of feeling run down, anxious, or just "off," with symptoms that seem to come from nowhere? Things like afternoon exhaustion, persistent headaches, or midnight anxiety aren’t just random inconveniences - they're powerful messages that your body is sending to you. They are a direct line to your deepest needs, and understanding them is the first step toward true healing.

Are Your "Random" Symptoms Secret Messages?

Think of your body like a best friend who knows you better than anyone. She's been trying to tell you things, but you’ve been too busy to listen.

Your tension headache is probably more about stress than screen time.
Those uncontrollable sugar cravings might be your body's way of asking for comfort, not just chocolate.
That constant feeling of being tired might be a sign of deeper fatigue, not just needing better sleep.

Every symptom is a conversation starter. It's an invitation to dig deeper and listen to what your body is truly saying.

The Powerful Stress Signals You're Ignoring

Your body has a sophisticated way of alerting you to stress. When you try to push through, these subtle signals can become loud, physical symptoms:

Jaw tension and teeth grinding
Persistent digestive issues or stomach pain
Sudden afternoon energy crashes
Unexplained aches and pains
Feeling consistently on-edge

These aren't just inconveniences to push through—they're your body's way of saying, "Hey, we need to talk."

The Hormone Connection: Your Body's Communication System

Your hormones aren't your enemy. They're part of a sophisticated communication system, and a hormone imbalance can be a major source of your symptoms. When we learn to work with them instead of against them, everything changes.

Signs your hormones are trying to tell you something:

Irregular sleep patterns
Mood swings that feel out of character
Weight changes despite your best efforts
Cravings that feel uncontrollable
Energy levels that are a constant roller-coaster

Emotional Eating vs. Intuitive Eating

Let's talk about that 2 PM chocolate craving. Is it about the chocolate, or is it a symptom of what happened in that morning meeting? Understanding the mind-body connection means learning the difference between emotional and physical hunger.

Emotional hunger comes on suddenly and craves specific comfort foods. It's often not satisfied by fullness.
Physical hunger builds gradually and is open to various nourishing foods. It's satisfied when you're full.

Creating a Body-Trust Practice

Building trust with your body is a journey. It's about letting go of control and starting to listen. Try these simple daily check-ins:

Step 1: The Morning Check-In: Ask yourself: How did I sleep? What's my energy level? Where am I holding tension? What does my body need today?
Step 2: The Midday Pause: Take three deep breaths. Scan your body for tension. Check in with your hunger/fullness.
Step 3: The Evening Review: Reflect on what supported your body today, what drained your energy, and what you would like to do for yourself tomorrow.

The Trauma Connection: Why Your Body Remembers

Our bodies hold onto past experiences and trauma. That anxiety that seems to come from nowhere? Those trust issues that show up in relationships? That resistance to change? They might be old stories stored in your cells, showing up as physical symptoms. Your body's wisdom knows: