11 Signs You're Unhealthy That You Probably Ignore (But Shouldn't)

How can you tell if your body is whispering? Here are some signs to note:

The stress hormone cortisol is supposed to drop at night, allowing your body to rest and recharge. When you suffer from insomnia, it’s often because your cortisol levels are revved up at night as a result of too many “fight-or-flight” stress responses in your body. As I explain in detail in my book Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself, when your stress response is turned on, your body’s natural self-repair mechanisms get flipped off. Then BINGO. You get sick.

To protect your bones, make sure you’re getting enough natural calcium, vitamin D, weight bearing exercise, and—the one most doctors won’t prescribe—relaxation responses, which can help your bones strengthen themselves.

If your body has extra weight around the waist and belly (aka viceral fat) this is sometimes referred to as "apple-shaped." Apple-shaped individuals—particularly those who have a waist circumference greater than 35—may be at a higher risk of metabolic disease.

Even more commonly, you could be wiped out because your stress responses are flipped on all the time—and your self-repair mechanisms are in overdrive, trying to protect you from infection, cancer, and a whole host of other serious illnesses. Sometimes chronic fatigue is the only symptom that your nervous system is stuck in chronic, repetitive stress response—the whisper that precedes your body’s rebel yell. So don’t dismiss exhaustion.

Hydration is essential to maintaining a healthy body, and when you’re well hydrated, your urine should be almost completely clear. If you peer into the toilet and see a lot of yellow, you’re probably not drinking enough fluids. Remember, caffeinated or alcoholic beverages are dehydrating, not hydrating, so stick to water, herbal or green tea, coconut water, or green juice.

Snoring may be the only early sign of sleep apnea, a sleep disorder characterized by obstruction in the airways that can increase your risk of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent heart failure.

Not sure what’s causing your anxiety? Start by asking your inner wisdom what is causing you to feel anxious. Usually, anxiety is the result of areas of your life being out of alignment with your true self. If you feel anxious for no reason at all, ask your doctor to test your hormones.

Healthy bowels move every time you eat a meal. It’s called the “gastro-colic reflex.” When you insert food into the digestive tract, healthy bowels move to eliminate waste and make room for new nutrition. Otherwise, you wind up, well, full of you-know-what. When you’re constipated, toxins in the body can seep through the lining of the bowel, enter the bloodstream, and cause inflammation, which can put you at risk of a whole host of body-yelling health conditions. Your potty is your friend, my dear!

We’re all exposed to viruses and bacteria every day, but a healthy individual should be able to fight off these pathogens the majority of the time. If you’re that person who catches every cold your friends have or gets sick every time your kids do, your immune system may not be functioning optimally. This can not only put you at risk of infectious diseases, but also other longterm health issues.

Cracked lips, also known as “cheilitis,” can signal a deficiency in B vitamins, especially vitamin B12, which can put you at risk of illnesses like anemia. For a simple source of B12, mix up my favorite go-to snack—popcorn, olive oil, nutritional yeast, truffle salt, and cayenne pepper. (It’s the nutritional yeast that is a potent source of B12.)

While all of these signs may sound a bit concerning, just remember you can always take action to protect your overall health and well-being.