Your body is talking to you all the time.

However, it’s not the kind of discussion you could have with your best friend, where you can expose your feelings and put a word on your emotions. Your body doesn’t use traditional language. If you’re waiting for a clear message, you’re going to be disappointed. However, you can find comfort in the knowledge that most people need to work hard to improve their relationship with their body. For most, it’s a work of love and dedication that can take several years. Before they find the key to open the communication path, they often ignore or misinterpret what their body was trying to say.

You and your body may not be at a stage of your relationship where you can fully understand each other. But you can’t afford to ignore the signs anymore. When your body is trying to tell you to stop and change your habits, not listening could have dramatic consequences. Here are the 5 signs you should never ignore:

No pain, no gain

Letting you know when you push too hard

One of the most common mottos when it comes to workouts is no pain, no gain. If you’re training, you know that you need to push through the pain to get some results; otherwise, there is no point exercising in the first place. But if you’re a fitness addict, it’s fair to say that you can probably sustain a lot of pain before giving up. Unfortunately, there’s a strict line between how much pain is healthy and how much is too much. Listening to your body is crucial to figure it out. But if you’re unsure of how to recognize the warning signs, there are some clear indications. When you’re pushing your body through too much effort, you can notice that your overall form becomes weaker. Whether you’re running on the treadmill or lifting weights, when you realize that your legs and arms become misaligned in the effort, it’s time to stop. It means that your muscles can’t handle the pressure anymore. You put yourself at risk of an injury. Additionally, if your recovery time becomes slow and uncomfortable, from insomnia to long-term soreness, you need to slow down.  

Tensing when you’re going through a stressful time

Even though stress is part of our day-to-day life, it doesn’t mean it’s good for you. People who experience chronic stress at work are more likely to die prematurely as a result. The body reacts to stress by increasing the production of cortisol – the stress hormone – which can create blood sugar imbalance, encourage weight gain, and suppresses your immune system. You know it’s happening because you feel a knot in your stomach, you get cold sweat, and your breathing intensifies. But you can regulate the production of cortisol by taking a quick break. Walk outside, enjoy the fresh air. If you’re a smoker, you’ve probably noticed the relaxing effects of a cigarette.  You can help to curb the habit effectively by switching to vaping and trying exciting flavors for vape pens until you’re ready to replace it fully with a healthier alternative. A cup of green tea, for instance, can do wonder.

Putting you face-to-face with your bad food choices

Everyone should enjoy some cheat meals from time to time. However, your body may not be able to work its way through it effectively. Breakouts a day or two after an indulging snack is your body way of asking you to stay away from specific types of food. As a rule of the thumb, added sugars can lead to an increase of acne risk by 30%. Similarly, healthy foods, such as whey protein supplements for the gym, can have similar effects. Check your skin and change your diet accordingly.

You’re not cold, you’re sad

If you’re familiar with cold sweats and cold chills, you may need to think further than your choice of clothes. Indeed, there is a clear link between anxiety, depression, and cold. While it’s not too say that anxiety always makes you feel cold, it’s important to consider the symptom along with other signs. Most people confuse anxiety and depression with tiredness, as you naturally want to stay recluse. But feeling cold as a response to disturbing events is a clue to mention to your doctor.

You’re not bloated

Bloating is a harmless sensation. Ultimately, a variety of factors can cause bloating, from chewing gums to eating cruciferous vegetables. However, if you experience painful bloating after a specific kind of food – such as an ice-cream –, it’s your body trying to warn you about lactose intolerance. Unfortunately, most people can develop an intolerance. Be attentive to the signs.

Is ice-cream making you sick?

Your body constantly shares its inputs with you. While it takes a long time to read through the signs, you can learn to recognize the symptoms of a health issue, from high stress to lactose intolerance. Listen when your body is asking you to stop.