Sunday Health & Wellness |Real Talk

When Our Bodies Hold Our Stress

I have written about this topic before, but I feel it’s worth bringing up again.

Have you ever wondered why you seem to get headaches during certain seasons of your life? Or why your stomach becomes upset? How about neck pain, back pain, or muscles that always seem tight?

Now, arthritis runs in my family on both my Japanese and German sides. My siblings and I all have arthritis. But more than 30 years ago, I recognized something about myself—I hold stress in my hips.

As I continue working through my own health journey and waiting to learn whether my spine or my hips are contributing more to my pain, I’ve found myself wondering how much stress has influenced the way my body feels over the years. I know stress didn’t cause my arthritis, but I do believe it can amplify pain, muscle tension, and how my body responds.

Have you ever thought about whether your current stress—or even past trauma that hasn’t fully healed—might be affecting your body and your overall health?

It’s easy to say, “I get chronic migraines,” “I tweaked my back,” or “Something I ate upset my stomach.”

But what if we took a little time to identify our stressors? Why do they affect us so deeply? And what can we do to begin resolving them within ourselves?

For many years, I have created a habit of beginning my mornings with prayer and meditation. While living in Las Vegas, I was introduced to Breathwork, and one of my daughters is now a Breathwork facilitator. I truly believe all three practices have helped me find greater peace and resilience, and they remain part of my daily life.

More and more, I intentionally count my blessings and express gratitude. I make a conscious effort not to give too much energy to the things that frustrate me. That doesn’t mean I ignore life’s challenges. It simply means I choose not to let them consume me.

Our minds and our bodies are deeply connected. When we live under constant stress, our muscles tighten, our sleep suffers, our digestion can change, and our bodies often carry the burden long after the stressful moment has passed.

Maybe today is a good day to ask yourself:

Where am I carrying my stress?

What can I do to bring more peace into my life?

Sometimes the healing we need begins with simply slowing down, taking a deep breath, and choosing to care for ourselves with the same compassion we so freely give to others.

It’s worth thinking about, don’t you think?

Blessings,
Lady Flava 🌻