“There’s no one fixed way of improving body literacy,” says Dr Robinson. In fact, how we relate to or tune into our bodies is deeply personal. But if you want to start, she’s shared some ways that make understanding your body’s language easier.

Menstrual cycle tracking

Dr Robinson says that one of the best ways to start learning about your body is by tracking your menstrual cycle. She suggests an app like FITRWoman, which identifies where you are in your cycle based on your reports and provides personalised training and nutritional suggestions that align.

Tracking can help you understand why your motivation or energy is low, or why you are in discomfort or pain. It means that you can take appropriate rest days or fight through tired days depending on what will actually support your hormones, rather than work against them.

Tune in to your breath

The nervous system is closely linked with your breath – and while we can’t put our nervous system under a microscope, we can very easily tune into our breathwork. Both short, shallow breaths as well as holding your breath can be a sign that you are stressed or anxious.

Spend some time thinking about your breathing patterns throughout the day – not only to correct them, but to notice your triggers. What are you doing when you catch yourself breathing into your chest rather than your stomach? Does it change depending on the time of the day, your workload, whether you’re in a meeting or staring at a screen? These things can tell you a lot about what puts you in a positive or negative mental space.

What is body literacy and how can it help you tune into your physical health?