They don’t feel like it though, do they? It seems as though that voice in your head operates on a plane separate from your body.

Maybe your “awareness” (the “you” that notices the thoughts) is supernatural.

But strange and unexplainable as they may be, the thoughts themselves—each word that pops into your head like magic—are a bodily function, and like any bodily function, they’re affected by your physical health.

I’ll repeat: the nature of your thoughts is influenced by the state of your body. The tone used; the words chosen; the whole story change based on how you physically feel.

If you feel like a two out of ten (say, during bad hangovers), you aren’t just slower or in a fog. Your inner monologue drastically changes; it’s less confident and creative; more selfish, defensive, and risk-averse. It’s more likely to think the world is cold and resources are scarce than it is to believe in abundance. If yesterday you felt good about a new project, today you might think yourself a fraud.

So take care of yourself. Sleep well, drink water, get moving. There’s more at stake than just “performing.” You’ll enjoy your own company better—and your harshest critic will be less of a menace—when you feel good.

And when you’re not 100%, cut yourself some slack. Really cut yourself some slack. Know that your entire worldview is in “bad-mood-mode” when you feel bad. It’ll pass.