Buzz
Paying attention to your body is crucial. Typically, you should recognize your sensations and connect them to previous experiences: This is how it feels when I push beyond my limits and approach a new personal best; that is how it feels when my old shoulder injury flares up.
However, emotions aren’t always grounded in reality, as psychologists often point out. Our bodies produce a myriad of sensations—aches, pains, fatigue, anxiety, and moments of uncertainty. The challenge lies in determining when to heed these signals and when to disregard them.
This question intrigued me after reading a recent piece in Outside, which explored research on how top athletes manage their emotions and physical sensations. Surprisingly, elite athletes often excel at overlooking these feelings compared to the average person.
This logic holds up, doesn’t it? As a professional athlete, if you’re aware of your potential to achieve a specific marathon time, you won’t ease up simply because your legs feel fatigued. You rely on your preparation, understand your pacing, and stick to your strategy.
For the average person, our senses might not be as finely tuned. Beginners, in particular, often lack a clear understanding of their limits. Here are some scenarios where it’s okay to disregard your body’s signals—and when you should start listening again.
When you feel pain, but there’s no real cause for concern
If the source of your pain is unclear, it’s wise to seek medical advice. However, many times, we experience minor aches or soreness that we’ve already been told are harmless. Yet, we still tend to overreact.
Catastrophizing is exactly as it sounds. A simple “ouch” from our body can spiral into thoughts like, “What if I never recover?” or “Maybe I’m not cut out for this.” Focusing too much on the pain can heighten our sensitivity to it. This can occur during recovery from a major injury or even with something as trivial as muscle soreness from a previous workout.
Seek professional advice to determine what actions to take or avoid to ensure proper healing. However, don’t be shocked if your physical therapist advises you to start using the injured area again, encouraging you to trust that your body can handle minor discomfort as part of the recovery process.
When discomfort arises simply because it’s unfamiliar
New experiences often demand our full attention. Yet, something can feel strange or intimidating without posing any real danger. Over time, sensations that initially triggered a “stop” response may eventually go unnoticed.
In a gym setting, this could involve the rough texture of a barbell against your palms or the weight of a heavy bar on your shoulders. Perhaps during your first run, you’re hyper-aware of how hot, sweaty, and thirsty you feel. Take a moment to assess the situation: Is there a risk of heat stroke, or are you simply unaccustomed to the sensations of running? If it’s the latter, rely on your rational judgment rather than your immediate physical reactions.
When that inner voice whispers, “I can’t.”
One day, you’ll amaze yourself by achieving a personal best in squats, setting a new mile record, or completing a workout you once thought impossible. Just moments before that triumph, your body might urge you to quit, but you’ll push through.
Late last year, I took on the challenge of performing 20-rep squat sets. Often, by rep 15, 10, or even 5, every part of me screamed, That’s enough, we’re finished, put the bar back. It felt like there was nothing left to give.
But I paused and asked myself: Is stopping necessary, or is it just a desire? I set a rule: I wouldn’t re-rack the bar while standing. I’d either complete the set or fail mid-squat, leaving the bar on the safeties. And guess what? I finished every. Single. Rep.
Pursuing ambitious goals is worthwhile. But in the heat of the moment, focus on one rep or one minute at a time. When you’re halfway through, don’t question if you can handle the rest. Instead, ask, “Can I do one more?” Or, in motivational terms, transform every “What if I can’t?” into “What if I can?”
