What your body notices first

Your body often knows before your mind does. A tight jaw, shallow breathing, a heavy chest, a churning stomach, hot face or restless legs can show anxiety, anger or dread before you have named anything. Everyone has their own pattern.

Some people's shoulders rise to their ears before a presentation; others feel tired and heavy when they are actually sad. A short body check, three times a day, takes thirty seconds: notice your breath, shoulders, jaw, stomach and energy, without trying to change anything.

Over a few weeks you will learn your early warning signs, which gives you time to respond instead of react.