Five Practical Ways To Tune In To Your Body

I was at the dentist yesterday for a routine cleaning and X-rays. I’m not one to stress about the dentist (unlike the hilariously horrifying tales in James Herriot’s All Things Wise and Wonderful). Normally, as the hygienist works her magic, my mind drifts to daydreams or my to-do list. But yesterday, I decided to try something different: I tuned into my body. What was the rest of my physical self up to while my mouth was full of sharp metal instruments?

At first, I didn’t notice much—no stress, no fear. But as I focused, I became aware of subtler sensations. My hands, folded in my lap, were stiff and unmoving. My glutes and adductors were slightly tightened. My breathing had grown shallow, and at moments I caught myself holding my breath.

It struck me how these reactions were happening beneath my awareness, even though I didn’t feel worried or anxious. My body seemed to be enacting memorized scripts, rehearsing patterns it had learned somewhere along the way. (Did I read Herriot's dental horror stories too many times as a kid?)

This practice of noticing my body wasn’t about judging or trying to fix anything—it was simply about tuning in to parts of myself I routinely overlook. Beyond that, this kind of attention is the first step in accessing the somatic intelligence that resides in our tissues.

Sound interesting? Here are 5 practical ways to tune in to your body:

1. Pause Between Meetings. Take one minute before or after a meeting to sit quietly and scan your body. Notice sensations—tight shoulders, clenched jaw, or a fluttering stomach—without trying to change them. Ask yourself, What is my body trying to tell me about my current state?
2. Check In While Making Decisions. When faced with a choice, pause to notice your physical reactions. Do you feel tension, ease, or discomfort? This awareness can provide insight into how aligned the decision feels, beyond logic alone.
3. Breathe Before Responding. In moments of stress or high stakes, take three slow breaths before responding. Observe what’s happening in your body as you breathe. Is there a shift in energy, tension, or mood? This simple practice can help you respond with greater clarity.
4. Use Transitions to Reset. As you move from one activity to another—entering a meeting, switching tasks, or heading home—notice the state of your body. Are you carrying stress, fatigue, or energy from the previous activity? Taking even 30 seconds to notice can help you reset and be more present.
5. Track Patterns During the Day. Set a reminder a few times a day to check in with your body. Are there areas of tightness, numbness, or energy? Over time, you may start to recognize patterns—how certain activities, interactions, or times of day affect your physical state.

Why It Matters: Listening to your body isn’t “woo woo”—it’s practical. Your body holds valuable data about stress, alignment, and well-being that complements cognitive analysis. Developing this somatic attunement practice can enhance decision-making, resilience, and leadership presence, empowering you to show up more fully in both work and life.