Switch Off and Find Calm, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 5 Understanding your triggers

As we race through our lives it is easy to miss the warning signs that should alert us to impending dangers such as sickness, injury or burnout. Too often we hear of people who have been aware of a pain in their chest for weeks but have put off going to the doctor because they are just too busy — then the heart attack strikes.

Signs and symptoms

Of course these signs don’t always mean we are at death’s door, but they do serve to warn us that we need to slow down and take time out. Our body is the best indicator of when things are not right — we are beautifully designed like that. Signs of ‘not feeling right’ that can be a precursor to illness include:

• » breathing difficulties

• » attention deficit

• » inability to concentrate

• » impaired memory

• » irritability

• » poor judgement

• » impaired communication skills

• » lack of coordination and slower reaction times

• » reduced visual perception

• » physical pain

• » tiredness

• » impaired decision-making ability

• » desire to be alone

• » lethargy

• » sore eyes

• » difficulty in relaxing

• » fidgeting

• » abnormal bowel movements

• » tightness in chest

• » withdrawal from environment or physical contact

• » clumsiness

• » tendency to move erratically between tasks

• » difficulty with task completion.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the signs and symptoms can manifest and result from many conditions. It is important you take the time to notice and listen to the messages your body is trying to send. If you are concerned about ...