How Your Body Says “No”: Somatic Signals You Might Be Missing
Have you ever had a gut feeling that something was off, but you couldn’t quite explain it? Maybe your chest tightened, your breath got shallow, or your shoulders crept toward your ears.
These are not just passing sensations. They’re communication.
Your body is always offering you signals. And often, it speaks “no” long before you consciously realize something isn’t right.
Common ways your body might be saying “no”:
Holding your breath or shallow breathing
Jaw tension or clenching
A lump in your throat or tightness in your stomach
Shoulders rising or curling forward
Feeling frozen, foggy, or mentally checked out
Avoiding eye contact or disconnecting from your surroundings
Tension in the chest, neck, or limbs
Crossed arms or slumped posture
A racing heart or sudden exhaustion
These cues may feel subtle at first, but the more you listen, the louder and clearer they become.
The Cost of Pushing Past Your Limits
When we’ve spent years overriding our boundaries, whether because of trauma, social conditioning, or simply survival, we stop noticing these messages. But pushing past your limits has a cost. It leads to burnout, resentment, and deep disconnection from your truth.
Rebuilding trust with your body starts with recognizing when it says “no.” It means choosing to pause instead of pushing through. Respecting your boundaries even when it feels uncomfortable. And offering yourself care instead of shame when you realize you’ve ignored your own needs.
When you begin to honor your body’s “no,” you interrupt patterns of self-abandonment. You make room for self-respect, clearer decisions, and more aligned relationships.
Embodiment Is A Compass
Over time, this embodied self-trust becomes a compass. One that can guide you toward a life that feels more authentic, grounded, and spacious.
And just as important as recognizing your “no” is learning to feel your “yes.” More on that in the next post.
About the Author
Shai Maxine is a trained somatic practitioner specializing in helping people navigate stress, chronic pain, and emotional overwhelm. With years of experience guiding clients toward greater ease and connection, Shai offers practical tools rooted in somatic awareness and mindfulness. When not working, Shai enjoys hiking, cooking, creating art, and petting as many dogs as she can. Follow along on instagram @shai.maxine
