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Kris Carr

Wellness

5 Ways Your Body Cries Out for Help

Hiya Gorgeous!

Do you ever feel like your body is trying to tell you something? Sometimes it starts with a whisper—an afternoon energy slump or a dull headache. And then there are the times it feels like our bodies are throwing a full-blown tantrum. Skin breakouts, digestive woes, insomnia—we’ve all been there.

If you’re anything like me, it can be all too easy to silence these signs of stress. A cup of green tea boosts my energy when I’m feeling sluggish and a little cover up hides that pesky pimple. But quick fixes don’t get to the root of the problem. See, those symptoms are our body’s language. It can have good things to say and bad things to say, but it’s saying them for a reason.

So today I want you to practice listening to your body, especially the ways it may be crying out for help. To help us do this, I brought in our nutrition director, Jen Reilly.

Take it away, Jen!

 

5 Ways Your Body Cries Out For Help

by Crazy Sexy Nutrition Director Jen Reilly, RD

Thanks, Kris! This is such an important subject to cover because all too often we end up ignoring our body’s cries for help. And it’s not because we don’t want to be healthy and happy, but because we’ve gotten so used to the symptoms that they start to feel normal.

We deserve to feel great, though! That means paying attention when our bodies show physical signs of stress. First thing’s first—let’s unpack some of the common stressors that can send our bodies shouting from the rooftops:

  • Physical or emotional stress
  • A heavy diet: too many rich, spicy or highly acidic foods
  • An unbalanced diet: too much sugar, too little fiber, too many processed foods or all of the above!
  • Poor gut health
  • A food allergy or sensitivity
  • A sedentary lifestyle

Now that we’ve covered some of the common causes of stress, let’s get into my list of the five ways our bodies might sound the alarm when something is wrong:

1. Waking up exhausted

One of the most common signs of stress is waking up exhausted after what the clock says was a good night’s sleep. Eight hours of shut-eye provide powerful restorative and regenerative benefits. So, if you’re always worn out in the morning or you can never seem to fully wake up, that means something is getting in the way of good quality rest.

Snooze better with these tips:

  • Try some stress-reducing meditations before bed.
  • Get an essential oil diffuser for your bedroom. Lavender is the perfect stress buster and it smells heavenly!
  • Turn off screens an hour or two before bed and cut off the caffeine after noon.
  • Consider trying an anti-inflammatory diet for 3 or more weeks. Inflammation can lead to an increased production of proteins called cytokines, which can cause insomnia.
  • If you snore, consider having a sleep study done to see if have sleep apnea.

2. Digestive problems

Until the you-know-what hits the fan in a big way, most people write off digestive issues as no big deal. But if you’re experiencing gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhea on a regular basis, your body is trying to tell you that something is off-kilter. It could be too little fiber, certain medications you’re taking, out-of-balance bacteria or food sensitivities—something needs a fix!

Here are some ways to resolve tummy troubles:

  • Consider trying supplemental probiotics, prebiotics and digestive enzymes to boost your good bacteria and help you get more nutrition out of your foods.
  • Make sure you’re getting plenty of fiber and water in your diet for optimal digestion.
  • Get some exercise. If you don’t move your body, your digestive system doesn’t move either.

3. Inability to lose weight

If you’re struggling with weight loss and feel like you’re doing everything right, it’s possible that your body is sending you a message. Perhaps you have a slower metabolism because you’ve lost and gained weight several times in the past. Or maybe you’ve hit that golden menopausal age. It’s time to tune in to what your body is really trying to tell you.

Try these tips to get back on track:

  • Eat more plant foods and check out the other metabolism-boosting strategies here.
  • Work on getting a good night’s sleep every night. Your resting metabolic rate is slower when you’re deficient on zzz’s.
  • Ensure you’re getting half your body weight in ounces of water daily (at least 1 liter for women and 2 liters for men). Even the tiniest bit of dehydration can lower your metabolism.

4. Skin breakouts and rashes

Skin breakouts and rashes can certainly be cyclical or seasonal, but they can also be one of our body’s signs of stress. Remember: what’s on the outside is often a reflection of what’s on the inside. If you’re skin is acting up, take an inventory of potential stressors.

Try these remedies for stressed out skin:

  • Avoid skipping meals and steer clear of sugar and dairy, which may cause inflammation.
  • Consider supplementing with omega-3s, especially if you’re experiencing dry skin or repeat rashes.
  • Consider increasing your intake of vitamin C-rich foods such as bell peppers, citrus fruits and greens. Vitamin C is a wonderful skin vitamin that can also boost your immune system.

5. Irritability and short-temperament

Do people get on your nerves a lot? Even sweet neighbors and your loved ones? A short fuse is another way your body might tell you something is askew. It could be a lack of rest or an unbalanced diet. Next time you’re feeling ticked off, take a deep breath and listen in to what might be going on under the surface.

Find peace with these tips:

The best thing you can do for your body is to pay close attention to what it says. And if any of the physical signs of stress persist or get worse, check in with your integrative doc for additional evaluation.

Thanks, Jen! Remember—your body is your precious home. Treat it with love and respect by listening to its wisdom. It won’t steer you wrong.

Your turn: I want to hear what messages your body sends, and how you respond. Let me know in the comments below!

Peace and staying in tune,

Add a comment
  1. Tomas Oandasan says:

    prayer helps in relaxing the body. the longer you can manage the better is the result.

  2. Linda says:

    My daughter is 25 years old and regularly gets shingles starting on her forehead which spread and try to make their way to her eye. Doctors try to tell her that she is too young to get shingles. What is her body trying to tell her and do you think this is stress or food induced or both? I worry about her.

  3. Jen Reilly, RD says:

    Hi Cat! Yes, more and more research is emerging on the use of CBD oil for eczema and psoriasis. One other thing you may want to try is eliminating all eggs from baked goods, etc. Many folks with eczema are especially sensitive to egg whites which can appear as the tiniest ingredient in store-bought items as well. Hope the CBD oil continues to help too! xo

  4. Christian says:

    Hi GORGEOUS Kriss,
    I MUST return this wonderful compliment to You! I listened to Your advices and these of Alberto Villoldo, shaman, concerning not only my food but also my soul and beyond. Thank You for all Your wonderful helping programs and empowering words!
    Grateful Yours,
    Christian

  5. PJ says:

    I’ve had all five symptoms for the past eight years since I had a hysterectomy. I suspect it’s due at least in part to hormone imbalance. I’ve tried everything under the sun without success. I have a clean healthy lifestyle and have tried alternative approaches. I welcome suggestions!

    • Jen Reilly, RD says:

      Hi PJ! Supplemental maca powder may be something you could add to your smoothies. It can work wonders at balancing hormones, but check with your doc if you’re unsure. xo!

  6. Amy Kramer says:

    Hi kris,
    I have had gut issues of and on my whole life. At 56 it seems worse even though I have illuminated process foods, cut back on alcohol, and exercise. I also eat very little animal protein and when I do it’s organic, grass feed. I don’t eat wheat and have very little dairy. I take good quality probiotics with enzymes. I drink a lot of water. I have been following “the Tapping Solution “ and doing guided meditation and still have IBS with constipation! I try to be always positive.

    • Jen Reilly, RD says:

      Hi Amy! Sounds like you’ve made a ton of healthy changes, so I’m sorry you’re not seeing results! For very sensitive IBS folks, it’s essential to follow an anti-inflammatory diet that skips alcohol, caffeine, gluten, dairy and corn to avoid flare-ups. It’s also possible that ground nuts or small seeds are irritating, so almond butter, sunflower seed butter and tahini can be used in place of whole nuts or seeds in your recipes. A daily green drink may be helpful for constipation, alternating low-fiber green juices with high-fiber green smoothies. Also, since so many digestive flare-ups can be stress induced, you may benefit from other stress reduction strategies in addition to your guided meditations… perhaps essential oils or adaptogenic herbs Kris talks about in her blogs linked below? For your constipation, if you’ve eliminated grains at all, that can trigger constipation even if you’re loading up on veggies. If that might be the case, I’d encourage you to try whole grains at dinner and see if that helps with your morning bowel movements. Hope that you find some relief soon! xo

      https://kriscarr.com/blog/pure-essential-oils-for-anxiety-sleep-stress/

      https://kriscarr.com/blog/how-to-relieve-stress-with-adaptogens/

      • Stephanie says:

        Hi, I am a health care practitioner and spiritual healer from Germany. I hope you do not mind, if I give advice here?

        Amy, have you tried out classical homeopathy yet? It popped into my mind, when I read your post. It seems there is something beneath that needs to be cleared.
        Another option that showed up is Hypnotherapy by Milton Ericksson. This trance-like hypnotherapy goes deep into our unconscious resources and one can clear right there the underlying circumstances that lead to symptoms in our present time.
        I wish you all the best. Stay happy 🙂
        Stephanie

  7. Rachel says:

    I’m glad you put waking up exhausted on there. Every time I get really stressed out, there are always some type of weird body sensations (jumping nerves) or general body weakness for me. Stress harms the body more than we know!

  8. Lily says:

    Ooh thank you I needed this 🙂 ! Reading about stopping to listen to the whispers of my body, then seeing “sedentary lifestyle” counted as a stressor on Jen’s list was like a one-two punch of a wake-up call regarding my body’s recent, quiet begging for me to engage in stretching and more rigorous exercize, a call that I have been dutifully brushing off in favor of tending to the needs of others. Thanks to decades of healthy plant-based eating and regularly activity, I am blessed to have felt very well through my adult life. The pause that this post has given me makes me realize that I have lapsed into taking my usual well-being for granted, unconsciously “using” my body without tuning into its needs. Lol makes me feel like a bad boyfriend to my body! I guess while our bodies can’t break up with us, they can break down on us.
    In terms of signs – for me, a head ache is a sign that I have lapsed in attention to my hydration.

    • kris says:

      So glad this resonated with you, Lily! It sounds like you’re already listening to your body and this is a great opportunity to dig a little deeper. Thanks for reading, honey! xo, kc

  9. Lisa says:

    Not to be a downer or negative, but what if you are doing all of the right things and the things that are suggested above and your body is still sending some of those messages to you? It can be very disheartening to work so hard on self-care, healthy whole food, plant-based diet, meditate, do yoga, take walks, use relaxing oils, and many other things…and yet, your body says, “Nope,” giving you some symptoms. Mine is the waking up exhausted bit.

    • Jen Reilly, RD says:

      Hi Lisa! I can understand how discouraging that must be. If you haven’t ever checked in with a holistic doc, you may find that he/she has additional tips or strategies for you based on your unique situation. Here’s hoping you feel more energized soon! xo Jen

      • Lisa says:

        Oh thanks. I’ve been going to an integrative physician since 1998 🙂

        • janine greer says:

          Just curious, have you investigated trauma? The Body Keeps Score is a good book. I think sometimes when people are sensitive they can carry the difficulties of the whole family.
          Good luck to you. Keep hope alive.

          • Lisa S. says:

            Oh thanks, Janine, that’s an excellent point! I will check that book out. I sometimes forget about digging into that further, after years of counseling, healing work, and the like. I also studied bodywork and the effects of trauma, my past profession. I need to explore this for myself too. I know there are always layers to unpeel, so perhaps, I have more to unpeel. Thanks! xoxo

    • Catherine says:

      Hi. I want to suggest you get your thyroid levels checked. It’s a blood test. My thyroid under functions which is hypothyroidism and one of my main symptoms was fatigue. The other was depression. Both related to thyroid.

    • Cork says:

      Maybe your self-care program is exhausting?

  10. Ann says:

    Lavender essential oil always seems to give me a good full night’s rest. If I don’t set up my diffuser then I just rub a drop or two with coconut carrier oil onto my chest and that seems to work really well. Poor water, so easy to forget and my body tells me when I do. It’s so simple, too…more water for me keeps everything flowing. : )

  11. Jackie cornell says:

    I have Crohn dx 2 yrs now I’m 48 I have no family hx. I have bloating, gas and diarrhea maybe 3 times a month. I poop daily I really try to eat healthy but could be better.

    • Jen Reilly, RD says:

      Hi Jackie! Crohn’s can be different for everyone. I’ve seen relief when dairy and gluten are avoided and when raw veggies are kept to a minimum (just cook ‘em or juice ‘em!). Staying hydrated can make a difference too. Best of health to you! xo Jen

  12. Amanda Freed says:

    Right about the time I start to make dinner I get hit with my ‘angry bitch mode’. It’s always worse when the kitchen hasn’t been cleaned up. I decided it was a mix if hunger and fatigue. So I try to snack on veggies and a little humus or have a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea with honey. That and mindfulness seem to make the b-hatch less likely to raise her ugly head. Or at least I find myself able to laugh at her.

    • kris says:

      I know that hangry feeling well, Amanda—especially at the end of a long day! It sounds like you have a great mindset and some reliable coping mechanisms. Thanks for sharing! xo, kc

  13. Ramune Simniskiene says:

    Meditation is a very powerful remedy. Thanks for reminding it

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