9|22|25Hey, Gem. Zhara here, and I’m back with another one.
Let’s jump into it!
When Your Body Speaks x Zhara. J.
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Hey! So, have you ever been lying awake at 2 a.m., staring at the ceiling and replaying the day in your head on a loop? The calendar is packed, the group chats are buzzing, the to-do list feels endless, and yet, your body whispers, “Slow down.”
But you don’t hear it… or maybe you’re good at acting like you don’t recognize the changes.
Sometimes it’s a tension headache that won’t quit, sometimes it’s the creeping fatigue that no coffee can cure, and sometimes it’s an ache you can’t quite name.
As women, we’ve been taught to power through, to keep pouring out, and stretch ourselves thin until there’s nothing left. But, Gem, our bodies are typically speaking to us long before we collapse.
Are we listening?
Research shows women are more likely than men to report stress-related physical symptoms such as headaches, upset stomach, and disrupted sleep (American Psychological Association, 2022). Instead of pausing, we often dismiss these cues as “normal.”
And the costs add up.
Chronic stress, if ignored, is linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, and depression (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021). The body does not lie; it keeps score of how we live and how we neglect ourselves.
Part of the struggle comes from cultural conditioning. We are praised for resilience, multitasking, and selflessness, but not for rest. What the hell is that about? In fact, many women internalize guilt when they say no, choose sleep over another obligation, and leave texts unanswered.
That guilt is heavy, and over time, it makes it easy to silence the body’s messages.
Ignoring your needs doesn’t make you stronger. It makes you tired and brittle.
Notice your patterns. Keep a journal of when headaches, cramps, or fatigue appear. Many women discover these flares alongside stress spikes or hormonal changes (Office on Women’s Health, 2021).
Honor rest as medicine. Sleep isn’t indulgent; it’s essential. Even one night of poor sleep increases emotional reactivity and decreases focus (National Institutes of Health, 2020).
Move with kindness. Exercise doesn’t have to be punishment; it can be walking, stretching, or dancing in the kitchen. Movement relieves stress and boosts mood through endorphin release.
Seek support early. Too many women wait until they’re in crisis to call the doctor. Don’t wait. If your body keeps sending the same signals, trust that they’re worth investigating.
I remember a season when I said yes to everything. I wore exhaustion like a badge of honor. But the migraines kept coming, louder each time. It wasn’t until I learned to prioritize myself when it mattered most that the fog began to lift. My body had been begging for rest, and when I listened, it thanked me.
Gem, your body is not your enemy. It is not an obstacle to overcome. It is your oldest friend, your most honest truth-teller. Listening to it is merely wisdom.
The whispers are always there. Don’t wait until they turn into screams.
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Gem, share this with a woman who needs the reminder. We all deserve more than survival; we deserve to live attuned, awake, and whole.
Until next time, I wish you peace as you become one with your body and learn to value it more – Zhara. J.
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