Looking back at your own life, how clearly have you felt the link between your mental state and your physical health?

A natural way to answer

I've come to see them as completely intertwined. A stressful period almost always takes its toll physically before I even admit I'm struggling. These days I treat aches and tiredness as signals worth reading, rather than nuisances to push through.

Key phrases to use

• run down — tired, weak, and not in good health, usually from doing too much“I've been feeling really run down lately.”
• weighing on me — (of a worry) troubling me persistently in the back of my mind“That decision has been weighing on me for weeks.”
• takes its toll — gradually causes damage, harm, or exhaustion“Months of stress took its toll on her health.”
• push through — to keep going despite difficulty, pain, or exhaustion“I just pushed through the tiredness to finish.”
• keeps the score — quietly records or remembers the effects of stress and strain over time“The body keeps the score, long after you've moved on.”