Linking on from my previous blog on 'Stress and Burnout'.
Have you ever noticed your shoulders creeping up to your ears when you’re stressed? Or felt your stomach twist before a difficult conversation? Perhaps you have an achy body after an anxious day? Maybe you’ve had a headache that no amount of painkillers can shift, but deep down, you know it’s not just about the headache.
That’s your mind-body connection in action. Yup they are connected and you will be surprised how well the communicate.
What is your body trying to tell you?
Wait—What Exactly Is the Mind-Body Connection?
Simply put, the mind and body are not separate. They constantly talk to each other. Your thoughts, emotions, and stress levels influence your physical body—and your body, in turn, influences your mood, energy, and sense of self.
Think of it like a conversation happening beneath your awareness. Sometimes it’s subtle. Other times, it’s pretty obvious.
Ever experienced:
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A pounding heart before speaking up in a meeting?
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A gut feeling about a decision (that turned out to be right)?
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A migraine after a week of pushing yourself too hard?
- A constant and never ending cold?
That’s not coincidence—it’s communication. That is our bodies trying to tell us something is going on.
Stress Doesn’t Just Happen in Your Head
Chronic stress or anxiety doesn’t only make you feel “on edge”—it can also show up physically in the body. It might be different for everyone but it will be there somewhere
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Tight muscles
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Digestive issues
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Fatigue or insomnia
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Tension headaches
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Shortness of breath
- Tense jaw
These aren’t just symptoms to push through. We often just excuse them or put it down to other reasons or just simply ignore them.
But don't! They’re messages from your body saying, “Hey... I need a minute.” or 'Hello... something is up'.
And sometimes, we don’t realise just how much we’re carrying until we stop and tune in.
Signs Your Mind and Body Might Be Disconnected
Sometimes we can be disconnected from the body due to past experiences or this is just what we have learnt. Here are a few common signs:
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You feel numb or “cut off” from emotions
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You're always in your head, overthinking
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You only notice your body when it’s in pain
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You struggle to rest or relax, even when you're tired
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You override your needs to keep going (“I’ll rest later”)
Sound familiar? You're not broken. You're human—and you've probably learned to disconnect as a survival strategy. To protect yourself. That is okay. Recognise this. Counselling can help you come back to yourself, gently and at your own pace.
Support the Mind-Body Connection
What does this look like?
1. Noticing What Your Body Knows
Slow everything down and explore where you feel something in your body. Is anxiety sitting in your chest like a weight? Is your jaw tense when you're talking about a particular topic?
Learning to notice these signals can be a game-changer.
2. Releasing, Not Just Understanding
Talking is powerful—but sometimes the healing happens when you allow the body to release what it’s been holding. That might look like breathwork, grounding exercises, or just pausing to feel instead of analyse.
3. Building Safety in the Body
If you’ve experienced trauma or long-term stress, your body might not feel like a safe place. It's about rebuilding that sense of trust—so your body becomes an ally, not a battleground.
Have a go at some of these things and be patient. Support from a counsellor can also be helpful.
Final Thoughts: Listening to Your Whole Self
The truth is, your body is always talking to you—it might whisper, it might shout, but it’s always there, trying to help you make sense of your world.
So many of us have been taught to ignore or override our physical and emotional signals. Told to 'just get on with it'. But the more we learn to tune in, the more we can respond with care, not just cope with discomfort.
That’s where healing begins—not in fixing ourselves, but in finally listening.
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