The Stomach Speaks

It began with my husband, who would experience recurring stomach aches every six months, accompanied by chills and nausea. After ruling out food poisoning and various stomach conditions, doctors suspected Crohn’s disease. Yet after numerous tests, they found nothing physically wrong.

Then, I experienced the same troubling symptoms. It was frustrating, and all I could do was retreat to bed. This pattern persisted for years until we sold our wine store and reduced our work hours from 60 to a healthier balance—two years ago. Since that change, those stomach issues vanished.

Stress-Related Ailments

Breastfeeding mothers often face mastitis, an infection of the milk ducts that affects about 10% of them. However, it can also occur in non-breastfeeding women and, curiously, it happened to me, despite being a non-smoker without children. My doctor attributed it to stress, explaining that a weakened immune system could allow such infections to take hold.

Shingles and hives are also linked to stress. My husband faced both conditions within a year, coinciding with my mastitis diagnosis. The irony? Neither of us realized we were under significant stress. We were working long hours, managing new staff, and struggling to unwind at night, but we accepted this lifestyle as the norm.

The Challenge of Recognizing Stress

Stress has become so normalized that we often overlook its impact. For two years, I battled burnout, anxiety, and depression, which required a complete life overhaul to overcome. I should have heeded the warnings my body was giving me.

The Importance of Listening to Your Body

Our tendency to ignore our bodies can stem from various influences. Many of us were raised in environments where mental health was not prioritized. A significant portion of older adults doesn’t seek help for depression, reflecting a societal stigma around mental health.

Modern life also complicates matters. While younger generations are more attuned to mental health, the pressures of contemporary life often overshadow the need to listen to our bodies. The pursuit of success, productivity, and social media validation can lead us to neglect our well-being, even when our bodies are signaling distress.

Taking Control of Your Pace

Many believe they lack control over their life pace, but I argue otherwise. Slowing down is within our grasp. It can start with small changes, like taking a weekend off chores, or it may require a more significant shift, such as changing jobs or re-evaluating life priorities.

We must question everything, from our financial goals to how we allocate our leisure time. Our bodies cannot keep up with the relentless pace of modern life, nor should they. The world often prioritizes profit over personal well-being, leading to deteriorating mental and physical health.

What Happens When You Slow Down?

I can attest to the benefits of slowing down. Since embracing a lifestyle that aligns more with my values, my husband and I have not experienced stress-related ailments. Those persistent stomach pains we endured for years? Completely gone.

Just as my father transformed his health after a life-threatening heart attack, I believe my commitment to a slower, more intentional life has positively impacted my longevity. If you choose to adopt a similar approach, you might find your health improves as well.

The body is truly remarkable.

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