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Today’s episode is focused on the question: how do I listen to my body? After my recent book launch party, someone asked, “If I only listen to my body, it always tells me to rest, but then I rest too much and don’t feel good. How do I manage choosing action versus rest?” This question really resonated with me, because it gets to the heart of what so many of us struggle with: how do I listen to my body and know what it truly needs?

Rest Vs. Action: A Matter of Self-Awareness – How Do I Listen to My Body

First, let’s acknowledge that both rest and taking action are essential to living an aligned life. But the real challenge is discerning when your body genuinely needs rest, and when it's your mind resisting action and telling you to “take it easy” out of habit, procrastination, or overwhelm.

So, how do I listen to my body in a way that actually supports my growth and well-being? It all starts with self-awareness. You have to honestly ask yourself: Is it my body wanting to rest, or is it my mind trying to avoid something? This kind of inner dialogue isn’t easy and takes practice, but it’s crucial for building a life aligned with your truest self.

Practical Example: Breaking Through Resistance – How Do I Listen to My Body

Let me share a recent experience of my own. I work out weekly with my trainer, Kalene. A while ago, I found myself telling her that I hadn’t been consistent with workouts due to a busy schedule. Logically, I knew I wanted to change things up, but it felt overwhelming to set a big goal like “work out every day.”

What helped was her encouragement to simply “get something in”—even a small workout. That little nudge made a big difference. I started setting smaller, attainable goals, like just putting on my workout clothes after getting my daughters to school. It wasn’t about pushing forcefully; instead, it was about gentle action that moved me forward. Sometimes, listening to my body means noticing when what I really need isn’t rest, but just a manageable step toward action.

The Mind-Body Connection and Human Design – How Do I Listen to My Body

The process of how do I listen to my body is deeply personal and unique. I love using human design as a tool for this, because it helps us look at our energy, strengths, and how we work best. Making decisions from the body, rather than the mind, can lead to greater alignment. By tuning into how your body specifically communicates with you, you’ll get better at knowing when rest is truly needed and when some movement or action is actually the supportive choice.

For those days when you genuinely feel tired, honor your need for rest. On other days, pause and pay attention—is it inertia, avoidance, or true fatigue? Awareness is the gateway to making choices that actually feel good, rather than defaulting to habit.

Practical steps to answer How do I listen to my body

Tips for Listening to Your Body – How Do I Listen to My Body

If you find yourself asking, “how do I listen to my body,” here are a few practical steps:

Check in with yourself daily: Note how your body feels and what kind of energy you have.
Distinguish mind from body: Is it a physical tiredness, or does your mind just not want to do something?
Experiment with small actions: Sometimes starting with a tiny step is all it takes to shift your energy.
Track your feelings and patterns: Jot down which days you feel energized, tired, or motivated and notice any trends.
Honor your unique rhythms: Hormonal fluctuations, busy schedules, and personal cycles all affect what your body needs.

Conclusion for How Do I Listen to My Body

There’s no one right way to approach rest and action. The answer to how do I listen to my body is a process—a practice of ongoing self-awareness, honesty, and gentle experimentation. Everyone’s needs are different, so it’s about tuning into yourself, trying out strategies, and finding what supports your unique lifestyle.

If this topic resonates with you, I encourage you to reflect, experiment, and ask yourself: “How do I listen to my body today?”

If you’d like to connect further about unlocking your mind-body connection in new ways, please feel free to reach out. I'm on LinkedIn and Instagram. I'm also on Voxer at @MaryClavieres.

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