We don’t talk about inflammation nearly enough. It’s so normalized that feeling bloated, tired, stiff, or achy gets brushed off as just part of life. But it isn’t.

A lot of people think it’s related to aging. But being a young adult shouldn’t feel like that. We should not be normalizing feeling like crap. It’s not normal to feel like crap. That’s inflammation.

When I talk to people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, the same things keep coming up. Waking up stiff. Feeling foggy. Puffy and achy before the day even starts. Most people blame their mattress, their job, or stress. But the truth is that inflammation builds from daily habits.

Inflammation doesn’t just come from one place. It builds up over time from how you eat, how you move, how you sleep, and how you manage stress. If you’re not moving enough, not sweating, living on ultra-processed food, staying up late, drinking too much, smoking of any kind, or not giving your body what it needs, that catches up to you. And it shows up as inflammation.

Some inflammation in the body is normal. It’s how we heal. Your body gets inflamed temporarily to fight infections, repair tissue, and protect you from injury. But being inflamed all the time is not normal. That kind of chronic inflammation means your body is constantly stuck in defense mode and that wears you down.

The body naturally experiences inflammation to protect and heal itself, but when it becomes chronic, it’s a sign that your body is constantly under internal stress Harvard Health.

Five Sneaky Signs Your Body Might Be Inflamed

1. You wake up stiff or achy for no clear reason You didn’t overdo it at the gym. You didn’t sleep weird. Yet your body feels like it’s been through something. That deep ache or stiffness you have to stretch or walk off? That’s inflammation.

2. You get hot or flushed easily Whether it’s from stress, alcohol, or just a warm room, your face gets hot or red quickly. This can be a sign your body is already running too hot on the inside. Inflammation affects blood vessels, circulation, and the nervous system. Your thermostat is off.

3. Your digestion is loud or unpredictable You deal with bloating, gurgling, gas, or bathroom issues even when eating healthy. Chronic inflammation in the gut can make it harder to absorb nutrients and throw your whole digestive system out of balance Johns Hopkins Medicine.

4. You feel tired no matter how much you rest Even after a full night of sleep or a restful weekend, your body still feels heavy. You still need a nap. This kind of fatigue is not normal and is a classic sign of systemic inflammation Cleveland Clinic.

5. Your brain feels foggy or slow Struggling to focus. Words on the tip of your tongue. Forgetting small things. Brain fog isn’t just about stress. It’s often tied to what’s happening in your gut and nervous system. It’s your body signaling that something deeper is going on NIH.

Five Signs Your Body Is Actually Healing

Most people think healing feels amazing. But the truth is, healing can feel weird. Especially if you’ve been inflamed for a long time.

Here are five things that might actually be signs of healing:

1. You’re sweating more If you’ve started moving more, eating better, or supporting your detox pathways, you might notice more sweating. That’s a good thing. It means your body is getting rid of junk.

2. You wake up without pain This might sound obvious, but if you used to wake up stiff and don’t anymore, that’s your body showing you something. It’s adjusting. The inflammation is calming.

3. You’re going to the bathroom more regularly Pooping every day matters. If your digestion used to be off and now it’s more consistent, your body is balancing. That’s a big sign that inflammation is lowering and systems are regulating.

4. You’re less sensitive to food Food reactions and sensitivities often come from inflammation in the gut. If you’re finding that you can eat certain things again without bloating or discomfort, you’re healing Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

5. You have more energy Not in a coffee kind of way. Real, natural, sustained energy throughout the day. If you’re not crashing in the afternoon or needing naps to function, your body is starting to run better.

What People Get Wrong About Inflammation

People think inflammation only shows up when they’re sick, injured, or visibly swollen. But the truth is, internal inflammation is slow and quiet at first. It doesn’t always look dramatic. It builds up quietly until your body starts yelling at you. That might be through your joints, your skin, your digestion, or your mood. Inflammation can show up in ways that don’t seem related. And the longer you ignore it, the louder it gets.

We’ve been conditioned to think it’s normal to feel like garbage all the time. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s normal. You’re not supposed to feel exhausted and bloated every day. You’re not supposed to be in pain all the time. We’ve normalized symptoms that are actually signals. And the more you ignore those signals, the more they turn into problems you can’t ignore.

But here’s the good news. You can absolutely reduce inflammation and heal. Shifting your lifestyle matters. Eating whole foods, getting regular movement, sleeping well, managing stress, smoking cessation, and reducing alcohol intake are all part of supporting your body. None of this is about being perfect. It’s about giving your body a chance to reset and regulate so it can function the way it’s meant to.

The body always tells the truth. It speaks through symptoms, fatigue, aches, digestion, and mood. You’re not broken, and you’re not just getting old. Inflammation is real and reversible.

If your body is whispering to you, listen now before it starts yelling.

xo Jessica