Is This Anxiety or Just a Lack of Magnesium? (And Other Mind-Body Mysteries)
Ever feel off and have no idea why?
In this Q&A, we explore the messy space where your mind and body talk to each other — often in whispers, occasionally in yells. From gut feelings to breathwork to mystery symptoms, here’s what your body might be trying to say.
Q: Why do I feel weird today?
A: That’s the eternal question, isn’t it?
It might be:
Hormones
A fight with your sister
A missed meal
Perimenopause
Not enough sunlight
Too much coffee
Something someone said in passing that burrowed into your heart like a tick
Or… it could be magnesium. (We’re only half-joking.)
Q: How do I know what’s a mental health thing and what’s a physical thing?
A: The honest answer? You probably don’t — and neither do most of us.
That’s because your mind and body aren’t separate departments. They’re in constant conversation. That anxious feeling in your chest might be your nervous system gearing up. That foggy brain could be dehydration. That random wave of sadness might be emotional, hormonal, or both.
Here’s what science tells us:
The gut-brain axis means what you eat can affect your mood (yes, even that kombucha matters)
The nervous system can be soothed by breath, warmth, and gentle movement
Inflammation is increasingly linked to depression and fatigue
Sleep is your brain’s emotional housekeeping service
The more curious you are about your whole self — not just your thoughts — the more empowered you become.
Q: Is it just me, or does anxiety show up in the body first?
A: Not just you.
Many of us feel anxiety in our bodies before we ever identify it mentally. Your jaw tightens. Your breath shortens. Your stomach flips. Your hands fidget. Then — if you pause long enough to ask — you realise: oh, I’m anxious.
Learning to read those signals can help you intervene earlier and more kindly.
Q: So what helps?
A: Here are a few research-backed ways to support the mind-body connection — and your emotional state:
Movement (the kind you don’t dread)
Even gentle walks boost serotonin and dopamine. Pick movement that matches your mood.
Breathwork
A few long, slow exhales can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and calm stress.
Gut Health
Emerging science suggests your microbiome is deeply linked to your mood. Fermented foods, fibre, and reducing ultra-processed food might help.
Nervous System Regulation
Touch something warm. Take a shower. Rock gently. Even humming helps. All these stimulate the vagus nerve.
Being Seen
Talk to someone — a therapist, a coach, a trusted friend. Co-regulation (the sciencey term for calming down in the presence of another) is real.
Q: What if I still feel unsure about what’s going on?
A: That’s okay.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is notice, without needing to diagnose. Treat your body like a friend you’re just getting to know again. Ask it questions. Listen. Try something small. Then listen again.
This isn’t about mastering your biology. It’s about living in it .
Your body isn’t the enemy. It’s the messenger.
So when things feel a bit off — don’t rush to fix. Get curious.
Could it be anxiety? Yes.
Could it be magnesium? Maybe.
Could it be both? Absolutely.
Let’s keep figuring it out — gently, curiously, together. Have you ever had a mind-body mystery? What helped you understand it better?
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