ASK: WHAT IS MY BODY SAYING?

After a tough task

Instead of smiling after finishing a hard to-do, you’re scowling. What gives? “Sometimes what’s wrong has nothing to do with your external circumstances but with your body,” says Barrett. “If your brain is running a deficit in its body budget, like you don’t have enough glucose because you haven’t eaten, your systems are unbalanced and you’ll feel the same unpleasant sensations as if someone said something hurtful to you.” Wegela agrees: “It took me years to figure out that I experience hunger as sadness.”

To get to a better place, Barrett suggests distinguishing physical discomfort from emotional distress. “Ask yourself, Am I hungry? Thirsty? Do I need to rest for a few minutes?” Identifying the physical factors influencing your mental state calls attention to the way a stuffy nose or aching back may be warping your perspective. After you’ve determined whether the culprit is a physical one, you can take action (eat, nap, cuddle with a pet), then navigate the world with a more positive outlook.