In our modern, fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook one of our most powerful tools for well-being: the quiet intelligence of the body. In this episode of Illuminating Being, Dr. Keith Somers and I explored how tuning into our senses—our hunger cues, fatigue, cravings, and even discomfort—can radically shift the way we nourish and care for ourselves.
We’ve spent the last few episodes diving into the five senses individually. This time, we zoomed out to reflect on how the body communicates as a whole, and how reconnecting to its signals can lead to deeper vitality and balance.
Slowing Down to Tune In
We started by acknowledging something simple but often forgotten: our bodies are wise. They whisper before they scream. Fatigue, skin imbalances, cravings, and digestive discomfort aren’t nuisances to override—they’re messages asking for attention.
When Dr. Somers described newborns relying entirely on internal cues to eat, sleep, and regulate, it reminded us of our original blueprint. As adults, many of us have lost that inner clarity due to conditioning, societal expectations, overstimulation, and the addictive designs of the modern food system. The question is: how do we return?
Cravings, Hunger, and Emotional Awareness
Are you hungry, or just bored? Tired, or overstimulated? Craving sugar, or seeking comfort?
We unpacked how many of us eat out of habit or emotion, not true hunger. That doesn’t make us flawed—it just calls for reflection. Try this simple awareness practice: for 3–5 days, mentally (or physically) note how you feel before and after meals. No judgment. Just pay attention. Patterns will emerge.
You may notice that what you eat affects how you feel hours later. Or that you tend to snack when anxious. Awareness is the first step to empowerment.
Rethinking Routines: Three Meals a Day?
Do we really need to eat three meals a day?
As Dr. Somers pointed out, this concept is relatively new in human history. Our ancestors ate based on availability and need, not a rigid clock. That doesn’t mean we need to abandon structure entirely—but it does mean we can question it.
Especially for parents navigating family schedules and societal pressures, remembering that fueling the body is different from feeding a routine is an important mindset shift.
Your Senses Are Not Distractions—They’re Direction
From the smell of honeysuckle in spring to the grounding warmth of a shower, our senses aren’t passive—they’re participants in our well-being. They help us come home to ourselves.
Touch, smell, taste, sight, and sound all offer ways to recenter. Sometimes, calming your nervous system is as simple as pausing to notice the smell of lavender or taking a mindful bite of food without a phone nearby.
As we noted, this wisdom has often been dismissed as “crunchy” or “woo,” but in reality, it’s ancient, intuitive, and increasingly backed by science. Our over-industrialized, hyper-digitized lives need counterbalance—and our senses are that gateway.
A Book Recommendation: The Regenerative Life by Carol Sanford
Dr. Somers shared his reflections on this favorite read, which emphasizes how we can tap into our inherent potential to live with purpose and contribution by transforming our roles in life. The themes of self-awareness, regeneration, and grounded living were beautifully aligned with our discussion.
Bonus recommendation: Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, a biography that celebrates the Renaissance master’s deep curiosity and understanding of the human form from the inside out.
A Final Invitation
We wrapped this episode with a call to remember that our bodies are not obstacles—they are our guides.
When we listen:
Hunger becomes nourishment
Discomfort becomes direction
Fatigue becomes an invitation to rest
Curiosity becomes a catalyst for change
You don’t need a perfect plan. You just need to pay attention.
Try This:
Take one meal today and eat it with no distractions. Use all five senses.
Write down how your body feels before and after.
Bonus: Take a slow walk outdoors and tune into smell, sound, and touch.
