Life is full of transitions - new relationships, career changes, children leaving home - and while these moments bring growth and excitement, they often come with disruption to our "comfort zone". This disruption can create physical symptoms as our body responds to the stress of change. What many of us don’t realise is that the body frequently expresses the stresses of both positive and negative transitions through physical signs, alerting us to deeper emotional dynamics at play.
New Relationships and Physical Responses
Starting a new relationship is an exhilarating time, yet it can also create stress on the body and mind. From changes in your routine and sleep patterns to adjusting to a new source of exosomes (DNA packets released from our cells), your system undergoes shifts that can trigger a range of symptoms. Anxiety about the relationship's future, excitement, and lifestyle changes may contribute to cold sores, gut issues, or flare-ups of chronic conditions. Interestingly, I have observed that these symptoms very often get in the way of connecting with the other person, or manifest in ways that make you feel unsightly, or unlovable.
While falling in love may give you a rush of feel-good hormones, it also increases cortisol levels - the body’s stress hormone - which weakens the immune system and may lead to frequent colds or long bouts of flu. These responses are your body’s way of indicating it’s under stress, even though the changes are positive.
Parenting Transitions: When Your Teenager Moves Out
A classic example of how life’s transitions can impact the body is when your teenager moves out. This life stage is filled with a mix of emotions: pride and joy for your child’s independence, anxiety about their future and your impending sense of loneliness, deep grief, and the inevitable conflict of living with a teen, (doing irritating, teen-like things). These emotional stressors often manifest in the body as symptoms. Like some clients I have worked with, you might experience gut issues tied to anxiety, acid reflux or nausea, heart palpitations, or nervous system dysregulation.
When you’re feeling these sensations in your heart center or gut, your body is mirroring the emotional turmoil you’re processing. This is a powerful example of how stress can show up in physical form, even when the circumstances are part of a natural life stage.
The Body’s Reaction to Positive and Negative Stress
Transitions of all kinds - whether exciting or anxiety-provoking - create stress on the body, and this can result in physical manifestations. Positive changes like promotions or a big move can lead to overstimulation of the nervous system, while negative stress from uncertainty or fear about the future can further exacerbate chronic conditions like migraines or autoimmune flares.
But it’s not just the changes that affect us - it’s our deeper, often unconscious, reactions to them. When we branch out of our comfort zone, such as starting a new business or stepping into a more visible role, the unfamiliarity can trigger an unconscious desire to stay safe. Sometimes this desire shows up as self-sabotage through physical symptoms.
Self-Sabotage Through Physical Symptoms
When you're about to do something that stretches you - whether it's launching a new business, speaking publicly, or taking on a major project - your unconscious mind may register this as a threat. Even if the opportunity is exciting and aligned with your goals, the body can resist through symptoms that seem to prevent you from moving forward. You might develop sudden headaches, fatigue, or gut disturbances, all signaling to you that maybe you’re not ready.
These physical symptoms can make us believe we aren’t capable of pushing through the challenge, convincing us to pull back just when we’re on the brink of success. But if we tune in to the emotions behind the symptoms, we often find a deeper story emerging. Is the anxiety about the symptom itself, or is the symptom here because of the anxiety?
By listening to your body, you might discover that the physical discomfort is a signal to slow down and examine the emotions beneath the surface. Are you afraid of being seen? Is there fear about failure, or even success? This is an opportunity to express and release those emotions, rather than letting them hold you back.
Taking Care of Body, Mind, and Spirit During Transitions
During times of transition, it's crucial to nurture your body, mind, and spirit in a holistic way. Good nutrition, regular exercise, and relaxation practices can help ease the stress on your system. Magnesium, B vitamins, nervous system tonics and other supplements can be supportive in regulating the body's stress response, while activities like yoga, breathwork, and meditation can help you process the deeper emotional layers connected to the change.
Taking time for self-care is key to checking in with your body and understanding what it’s telling you. Whether it’s a walk in nature, journaling, or a bodywork session, tuning in can give you insights into the emotions behind the physical symptoms. This is incredibly empowering - it allows you to view your symptoms not as barriers, but as opportunities for emotional expression and release.
3 Ways Health Coaching Can Support You Through Transitions
As a health coach, I help clients navigate these transitional periods by teaching them how to tune into their bodies and listen to what’s really going on. One of the key strategies I teach is the body scan, a simple yet powerful exercise that helps clients become more aware of physical sensations, emotions, and even the stories or thoughts tied to those emotions. During the scan, many people receive valuable insights messages from their body - that reveal what support they need in the moment, whether that’s emotional expression, rest, or a change in direction. This process often brings clarity about how best to support themselves, both physically and emotionally.
Another core practice I guide clients through is aligning with their heart’s true desire. Using intuitive 'circle work', I help clients get clear on what they truly want in a given situation and identify the next steps to move closer to that vision. This clarity can reduce the stress that comes from uncertainty or feeling out of alignment with one’s purpose.
I also work with clients to develop stress-supporting routines that include supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle changes tailored to their specific needs. By addressing the physical and biochemical aspects of stress, we can help the body feel more balanced and resilient during challenging times.
Taking Care of Body, Mind, and Spirit Through Transitions
Whether you’re facing the excitement of a new relationship or the bittersweet moment of your child leaving home, it’s essential to support your body, mind, and spirit. By addressing both the physical and emotional layers of your experience, you can move through life’s transitions with greater ease, empowered by the knowledge that your body’s symptoms are often messages waiting to be heard.
Your body is always communicating with you. By listening closely and tuning into those deeper layers, you can transform what might seem like physical setbacks into opportunities for growth, clarity, and greater alignment with your true desires.
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