Looking back, how good have you become at reading the signals your body sends when you're overdoing it — and do you actually act on them?

B Natural answer

I’d say I’m fairly good at it now. I don’t always get it right, but I’m much more aware of the pattern than I was a few years ago. For me, the first clues are usually mental before they’re physical: I get scattered, I answer people too sharply, and I stop being able to concentrate. That’s when I try to notice the little stuff instead of brushing it off. A tight jaw, shallow breathing, and that wired-but-tired feeling usually mean I’m doing too much. If I’m sensible, I back off before it turns into something bigger. That might mean moving a workout, leaving work at a reasonable hour, or saying no to another commitment. I also try to pay attention to the early signs like poor sleep or losing interest in food, because those are the ones I used to ignore. Do I act on them every time? No. But I’ve become much more consistent, and that has saved me from a lot of pointless burnout.

Key phrases in this answer

• notice the little stuff — pay attention to small details or small changes“I try to notice the little stuff before it becomes a bigger problem.”
• back off — reduce pressure or stop pushing so hard“When I feel drained, I back off for a day or two.”
• pay attention to the early signs — notice warning signals before a problem gets worse“I try to pay attention to the early signs of burnout.”
• push through — keep going even when you feel tired or unwell“I used to push through and ignore the fatigue.”
• hit a wall — suddenly reach a point where you can’t keep going well“By Friday afternoon, I usually hit a wall.”
• run myself down — wear yourself out by doing too much“If I keep working like that, I run myself down.”