Being aware of what’s going on in your body can also help you monitor and regulate your emotions. Does your chest get tight when you’re angry, even before you realize you’re angry? Do loneliness and hunger feel the same way in your stomach? Do your legs get restless when you feel anxious? Do you feel physically tired when faced with an emotionally draining task?

Think about what goes on in your body when you experience different emotional states, such as those above.

Now consider how you can use that body awareness in your writing. Imagine the physical sensations your protagonist feels when confronted with different emotions. How do they embrace or hide from certain feelings? Which emotions do they avoid and how do they do it?

Play with body language to show your characters emotions and how they feel about them. Your readers will pick up on the subtext and appreciate that you’re not beating them over the head with telling.