Our Zesty Resources

Do we need a User Manual to operate our human body?

Hello! 

When we were born, we were given a body and mind to be cared for and nurtured by our parent/s, guardians, or communities, depending on the situation. Hopefully, we were exposed to positive role models who protected and provided a great base of nurturing and support that kept our minds and body on a positive health road. 

Then we got older, took the role modelling we had been presented with, and added our education and what we liked and didn’t like to it to make other choices about how we looked after this human body and mind. 

Some human bodies are high-functioning, well-oiled machines; others are clunky and require check-ups regularly. Some are in for repairs more often than hoped. 

Have you ever thought about why this is? 

  • Why do some people seem to sail through and have a healthy life and others not?   
  • Are some people better at reading and understanding their bodies better than others?   
  • Are some better people fuelling their bodies with quality food and fluids than others?   
  • Do some people run their bodies better and exercise regularly for optimum output? 
  • Also – do some rest their bodies regularly, so they have a balance of energy and fuel for optimum performance? 
  • Additionally – do some get bogged in life and stay put, not moving? 

I can’t say that I have the answers; however, it is something that I get to talk to many people about. I like to offer the analogy that the human body is like a car. The heart is the engine, the gastrointestinal system is the fuel lines into the engine; the blood and lymph is the oil and lubricants, etc. 

Yet I notice that as humans, we spend much time and money focused on keeping our cars on the road more than we attempt to keep ourselves on the road. 

I work with clients who have been putting the incorrect fuel, oils and lubricants in their systems for so long that the engine is now shot. Additionally, they have been driving themselves around in dark and dangerous areas and are not feeling safe and well in their worlds. 

How did this all happen? 

We didn’t have the right manual to operate ourselves efficiently!  

How can we know how we work and how we operate?  

How do we know ourselves? 

There are many answers to this question; however, I believe the first place to start is by noticing and listening to our bodies when they tell us something. 

The human body will send signals when it is in a state of stress or dis-ease, whether it is eustress (moderate or normal psychological stress, interpreted as being beneficial) or distress. These signals come in the form of, but are not limited to:  

  • Unusual tiredness 
  • Upset stomach 
  • Diarrhoea,  
  • Aching head,  
  • Sore muscles – aches and pains,  
  • Constipation,  
  • Ongoing feelings of sadness, 
  • Palpitations, or  
  • Other disorders that are unusual to you and ongoing. 

You must acknowledge the signals your body is sending you and seek support from people who can help you learn what is happening to your body. Jumping in early and making some changes to break habits now can help you break away from developing long-term chronic diseases. 

There are many ways to learn more about your body and how it works for you, and I have added a few simple links in the reference below if you want to have fun learning more about the great body you were gifted from birth. 

To create your user manual for your body, then Let’s Talk!

Be the ‘The Master of your Destiny’!  

We only get this life now – make it the best one for you 😊 

Sue cosgrove zest again

By Sue Cosgrove

Founder of Zest Again
Recent posts

Finding Flow in the Middle of a Challenge

Yesterday I completed another 10km run on the Gold Coast. I’m proud of that — but what stayed with me wasn’t the distance or the pace. It was something quieter, something steadier, something that surprised me in the best way. Running alongside hundreds of other...

Celebrating the Goodness of Your Everyday

Over the last few weeks, the country has been buzzing with football finals. Huge celebrations, streets filled with colour, people cheering for days. It’s joyful, it’s loud, and it’s fun. There’s something wonderful about watching people celebrate the big wins.  But it...

Permission to Take a Break Granted

As this week begins, I want to share something personal — not as a boast, not as a “look at me,” but as a gentle example of what wellbeing looks like in practice.  I’m taking a few days off.  Not the kind of break where you cram in activities, rush from place to...

Emotional Loads and the Weight We Carry

Yesterday’s Day 13 focus on emotional load clearly struck a chord. A few participants reached out to share how deeply the message resonated — not because the idea was new, but because it finally named something they’ve been quietly carrying for years.  Their stories...

The Quiet Power of Being Inspired by Good People

Some weekends leave a mark — not because they were busy or glamorous, but because you spent time with people who remind you what genuine purpose looks like. People who care deeply about their work. People who show up with kindness as their baseline. People who move...

The Two Sides of Change

Good morning everyone —Happy Monday! Over the weekend, I found myself laughing at my own brain. I headed out for a 7km run as part of my preparation for my upcoming 10km goal in October, and honestly… it felt like the two sides of my mind were having a full‑blown...

Ready for a Shift

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a shift. The days are stretching longer, the air feels lighter, and I can sense myself emerging from winter hibernation. There’s something about this time of year that invites movement — a gentle nudge to get going again. To...

Sharing Our Learning at the UQ Compassion Symposium

This week at ZestAgain, we’re feeling both proud and deeply grateful. On Saturday 5 September, we’ll be sharing our learning at the University of Queensland Compassion Symposium, highlighting the insights gained from supporting the compassion satisfaction and...

Mindfulness Challenge Starts September 1st!

This week, we’re celebrating something close to the heart of everyone who cares: the power of daily mindfulness to protect your wellbeing, strengthen your boundaries, and sustain the energy you bring to the people you serve and nurture. What is the Mindfulness...

Workshops
Compassion Satisfaction Program
Compassionate Mentoring Program
Individual Self-Compassion Subscription Program

Ready to Elevate Your Team’s Well-Being?

Discover how Zest Again can transform your workplace culture. Contact us today to get started!

"
Icon contact

Contact us

Get in touch

Have a question or want to learn more about our programs? We’d love to hear from you!

Icon phone

Email us

info@zestagain.com
Icon email

Call us

0486 043 341
Icon location

Location

Queensland, Australia