We know that talking kindly to ourselves—reminding ourselves we are good enough—can ease some of the heaviness in our hearts. But did you know the same principle can apply to your body as well?
The other day, I was just lathering my leg while bathing and thought, “It’s a little sore, but not too bad. You’ve done a good job so far. Good girl.” To my surprise, saying this out loud made me feel good about my leg somehow—and I actually felt the pain soften and leave.
Curious about why this happened, I started doing a little research. I discovered that what we say to our bodies—and how we pay attention to them—can actually change how we feel pain, reduce tension, and even trigger healing responses.
Both emotional pain and physical pain share a common remedy: gentleness, awareness, and kindness.
The Surprising Power of Kind Self-Talk
At first, it felt a little silly to speak kindly to my leg. But the moment I did, I felt my body relax. The pain wasn’t magically gone, but it loosened its grip. Science explains why this works:
- Words as signals: Soft, compassionate words tell our nervous system that we are safe, allowing tension to release.
- Focus shift: Gratitude moves attention from “this hurts” to “this part of me is working hard for me.”
- Healing hormones: Positive self-talk can trigger endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers.
It made me realize—our bodies are always listening.
Shavasana and the Art of Letting Go
This experience reminded me of something I often feel in yoga, especially in Shavasana (corpse pose). After moving through stretches and postures, when I finally lie still, my body seems to sigh. The pain feels softer, the mind feels quieter, and even emotional heaviness lifts a little.
Shavasana is powerful because:
- It tells the body, “Now you can rest.”
- It slows the heart rate and calms the nervous system.
- It teaches us that healing isn’t about forcing—it’s about allowing.
Just like speaking kindly to my leg, Shavasana works by giving my body permission to relax. In that state, both physical and emotional pain lose some of their grip.
Bridging Body Pain and Mom-Life Stress
As moms, we often carry both kinds of pain: the physical ache of a tired body and the emotional weight of responsibilities. While physical pain can sometimes be massaged away, and emotional pain can feel harder to soothe, the truth is both respond to the same thing: compassion.
Imagine if a mom cared for herself the way she cares for her child—gently, patiently, and with love. Our bodies deserve that same tenderness.
- When my heart feels heavy, I can place a hand on my chest and say: “Thank you for holding all of this. I’m listening.”
- When my body aches, I can massage it gently and whisper gratitude.
- When my mind races, I can lie in Shavasana and let my thoughts pass without judgment.
Different pains, same medicine: kindness and presence.
A Simple Practice for Moms to Try
Next time you’re in pain, try this:
- Pause and notice. Where do you feel the pain—body, heart, or mind?
- Add kindness. Place a hand there and say something gentle: “I hear you. Thank you for carrying me.”
- Breathe. Let the nervous system calm itself.
- Rest. If possible, lie down in Shavasana for a few minutes and allow your body to let go.
It won’t erase pain instantly, but it will change your relationship to it. And sometimes, that’s enough to bring relief.
As moms, our bodies do so much—carrying children, carrying worries, carrying love. Pain will always show up in some form, whether in the body or in the heart. But when we meet it with gentleness—through words, touch, or yoga—we discover that pain doesn’t have to rule us. Sometimes, all it takes is a little gratitude to remind our bodies and hearts that they are safe, seen, and loved.
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