Listening to Your Body: Signs to Watch For
Learning to move your body to fight fatigue is a wonderful skill. Just as important is learning to listen to the signals your body sends you. It’s vital to know the difference between the “good tired” of a healthy activity and a warning sign that you need to stop.
Normal post-activity feelings can include:
- A gentle feeling of warmth in your muscles.
- Slightly faster breathing that returns to normal within a few minutes of stopping.
- A sense of accomplishment and mild tiredness that feels pleasant.
Warning signs that mean you should stop immediately and rest include:
- Pain, especially sharp, stabbing, or shooting pain in your chest, joints, or muscles.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling like you might faint.
- Shortness of breath that makes it hard to speak.
- A sudden cold sweat or nausea.
- An irregular or racing heartbeat that doesn’t slow down.
If you experience any of these warning signs, stop what you’re doing right away. If they don’t go away after a few minutes of rest, or if you experience chest pain, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Your safety is always the number one priority.
