PHYSICAL WELLNESS

sensitivities

A sensitivity is when your body reacts negatively to a substance, but not because of a true immune allergy. Instead, your body has difficulty breaking down, processing, or tolerating that substance — often showing up as delayed, confusing symptoms.

Common Signs You May Be Experiencing This

Sensitivities can look different for each person, but often include:

  • Digestive issues (bloating, gas, cramping, nausea)

  • Headaches or migraines

  • Brain fog, fatigue, or low energy

  • Mood shifts, anxiety, irritability

  • Skin reactions (eczema, rashes, itchiness)

  • Respiratory discomfort (mild congestion, sensitivity to smells)

⚠️ What Causes sensitivities?

  1. Enzyme deficiencies → e.g., lacking lactase for digesting dairy

  2. Gut imbalances → leaky gut, disrupted microbiome, low stomach acid

  3. Toxin overload → mold, heavy metals, pesticides, synthetic chemicals

  4. Nervous system reactivity → stress heightens how strongly the body reacts

  5. Cumulative “load” → sensitivities often stack with other stressors on the body, even if each one alone wouldn’t cause an issue

Soothing, Supportive Tools

🌱 Everyday Support

These gentle practices can be woven into your day, often without needing any special equipment:

  • Keep a gentle food + environment journal to track delayed reactions

  • Stay hydrated to support natural detox pathways

  • Allow for consistent sleep and rest

🥣 Nourishment

Support yourself from the inside out with gentle nutrition:

  • Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods with minimal additives

  • Support digestion with herbs (ginger, peppermint, fennel)

  • Incorporate gut-soothing nutrients (collagen, zinc, glutamine)

🧘 Therapeutic Practices

These are more structured options that may be helpful with deeper sensitivites:

  • Explore gut repair protocols (probiotics, digestive enzymes, gentle elimination trials)

  • Work with a practitioner on targeted detoxification if overload is suspected

  • Gentle nervous system regulation (breathwork, meditation, body-based therapies)

🌸 Sensory Tools & Daily Comforts

Support your system by gently soothing your senses:

  • Warm teas, soft blankets, calming scents (lavender, chamomile)

  • Salt baths or sauna for detox + relaxation

  • Breathable natural fabrics to minimize skin irritation

How It Connects to the Bigger Picture

Sensitivities are your body’s way of saying “something feels too heavy right now.”
They aren’t always permanent — many improve as the gut, nervous system, and detox pathways strengthen. Seeing sensitivities as signals (not setbacks) can help guide you toward balance and resilience.

Further Exploration

  • [Allergies] → how they differ from sensitivities

  • [Gut Health] → why digestion is central to sensitivities

  • [Mucosal Barriers] → your body’s first line of defense

  • [Detoxification] → lightening your body’s total “toxic load”

  • [Nervous System] → how stress changes sensitivity