The art of listening to your body: A health habit we’ve been ignoring

By: Danjuma Hajara Garshena. (300 level Mass Comm)

These days, it feels like everybody is running. Running to meet deadlines, running to keep up, running to look like they’ve figured life out. We barely rest, eat properly, or sleep well, and somehow we act like that’s normal.

But ur bodies are tired, we don’t listen. We don’t even pause to check if we’re okay. And honestly, it’s catching up to us. The body does not keep quiet: That headache after skipping meals? That tiredness that sleep doesn’t fix? That sharp pain in your back or knee or shoulder that you keep ignoring? Those are signs. Your body is talking. It always talks.

But most of us have learned to just “push through.” We drink coffee or energy drinks when we should rest. We swallow painkillers and move on. We treat rest like a reward instead of a basic need.

We’re not robots. And acting like one won’t prove anything. Listening to your body doesn’t mean you’re lazy or unserious. It just means you want to be okay not just now, but long-term.

And it’s not even about doing anything complex. Sometimes, it’s just the simple things like:

• Taking a minute to breathe deeply and stretch your body.

• Actually eating when you’re hungry not when it’s convenient.

• Drinking water (yes, this is your reminder).

• Sitting down to rest without feeling guilty.

• Noticing when something always makes you tired or uncomfortable and doing something about it.

You Deserve to Feel Better

I know we all want to achieve things and be successful and not fall behind. But what’s the point of all that if your body is slowly breaking down and you’re always feeling like you’re running on empty?

Real health is not just about avoiding sickness. It’s about feeling alive. Waking up with energy. Laughing without pain. Thinking clearly. Sleeping peacefully. That’s what we should be chasing.

Your body is not trying to slow you down it’s trying to keep you alive. Don’t wait until it screams. Start listening while it’s still whispering. You deserve to feel good everyday not just on some days