In an age of highly advanced medical technology, digital healthcare tools, and biometric databases spanning many miles and many more bytes, it is extremely surprising how few of people know what is happening inside your body. Even those who remember your basic grade school biology may struggle to associate what you know is going on inside (the mitochondria, as many will remember, is the cell’s powerhouse) with the reality of our day-to-day physical health and wellbeing.
Ironically, it seems as though, while moving towards digital efficiency and information sharing, we have moved away from the more physical and analog feelings of being in our corporeal forms. And while some of us may be lucky enough to take regular trips to our regular doctor, health is often a matter of knowing how to recognize what’s happening in your body and be on the alert for changes that indicate things to be concerned about, aware of, or keep an eye on.
Here are some very basic and easy ways to check in with your body and know what’s happening under the skin!
Know Your Hydration Levels
An incredibly surprising number of health issues begin with the fact that a body isn’t getting as much water as it should. This is known as dehydration, and it is at the root of all sorts of uncomfortable physical sensations such as dizziness, tiredness, headaches, dry skin, and, of course, thirst! What’s more, dehydration is often a symptom of some other, deeper health issue that needs to be addressed.
One of the simplest ways to check your hydration levels throughout the day is to have a quick look in the toilet each time you pee. The color of your urine is a great indicator of your hydration levels – a totally clear liquid in the bowl is a sign you’re drinking too much, whereas a dark burnt orange pee means you desperately need a lot of water!
Tuning Into Your Hormones
Hormones are responsible for an amazing amount of what goes on in the body. There are countless hormones at work in our body at any given time: androgen, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, oestradiol, etc. These invisible forces working throughout our body influence everything from physical growth, emotional regulation, stress levels, and even cognitive functions!
For women, keeping track of the menstrual cycle is key to understanding how estrogen and progesterone are working within the body at any given time. Sudden changes in bleeding patterns, the volume of blood, or side effects while menstruating can be indicators that something bigger is going on. For men, understanding how to recognize low testosterone symptoms is key to keeping an eye on some of the major hormonal changes that might be influencing overall health.
Knowing your body is key to being able to work with it in matters of health. By keeping an eye on some of the more basic ways in which what’s under the skin manifests in day-to-day life, you can be sure you’ll have a better handle on your overall wellbeing.
