Amanda Balionis has built a reputation as an always-on-the-go golf reporter. That was until a pinched nerve in her neck emerged as a major setback. Experiencing nauseating symptoms like nerve irritation and pain in her shoulder blades, Balionis had to make changes to her entire lifestyle. Sharing a recent update on her Instagram story, the news reporter shared her takeaways from the grueling experience.

Balionis revealed the results of the latest scan that she had while in New York. The diagnosis came as a bilateral herniated disc at C7, implying that her pain is now only on one side. Moreover, treatments like chiropractic therapy and steroids have significantly improved the condition, helping with the pain. But more than anything, Balionis thanked her schedule, which has slowed down to a great extent. The CBS reporter understood that stress only added to her spinal issue.

This much-needed hiatus from the mics served as a reminder for Balionis to take things slower and prioritize her body’s needs over her life’s demands. She wrote in her story: “One day I’m going to learn this lesson without doing it the hard way.” While she may have had to go through the health setback to realise her body’s demands, she shared it plain and simple for her fans.

“I have to keep reminding myself right now, continue listening to my body, not my ego that, of course, wants to get back into working out, wants to keep getting busy again. Slowing down matters. Listen to your body, everybody,” Amanda Balionis urged her audience. While she is taking active steps to bring her life under regulation, the urge to be more productive can sometimes make things harder. The relentless back-and-forth between the desire to push and the need to rest is a universal struggle, something Balionis is as much of a victim of.

However, talking as much to her as to her fans, Balionis realised the need to listen to her body’s limits. Consequently, the golf reporter has refrained from working out for a month now, quite a rare decision for her. This reflects Balionis’ vulnerability, who hints at the importance of holistic recovery. Acknowledging the effects of her mental, emotional, and schedule stress, she listened to her body’s demands for a break. “You can’t lie to your body. A forced physical, emotional, you know, mental break that was absolutely needed,” Balionis shared.

As a result, the symptoms are showing signs of improvement. The herniated disc injury first began as the golf season ended. Beginning the NFL leg of her reporting career, Balionis’ shifting schedules and increasing flight hassles added to her injuries. With the NFL season slowing down a bit, Balionis recently updated her fans with a glimpse into her life as she stepped down from her hectic schedule. Steroids and a more relaxed pace of life have definitely improved her conditions, as she shared: “I’m actually really lucky that my pain is only on my left side it is so much better we did another round of steroids that helped so much and also my schedule has slowed down a lot thanks to the Lord.”

Alongside the reminder and health update, Balionis also shared what listening to your body looks like. The golf reporter listed practical steps and changes, coping strategies she had learned the hard way.

Amanda Balionis’ tips on listening to your body

Always having been focused on her work, when her body demanded to be prioritized, Balionis found herself at a loss. That was until therapy spelled out what that lifestyle might look like. Learning this the hard, trial-and-error way, Balionis shared with her fans what worked for her in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Getting on terms with her body, Balionis has learned to take physical cues as reminders to slow down. A pain in her shoulder blades or lower back now reminds her to check in on her grief and stress. Moreover, outlining the human struggle of emotional shutdown, Balionis takes that as an immediate red flag. No energy to talk with her loved ones means her sign to slow down and journal her way to the nagging, underlying issue.

In addition to journaling and reflecting on her life, Balionis loves to turn to meditation when writing becomes too much. That helps her calm her nerves and helps with irritability. The golfer reporter plugs the Calm app as a tool, highlighting the need to commit to the cause.

Balionis also shared that when she finds physical inflammation or overheating, signalling rising cortisol levels, she puts on a calming podcast episode and takes a long walk. These measures help bring her hormones back to normal levels.

In the end, Amanda Balionis urges her audience to learn the signs of their bodies before the conditions worsen. Getting a better understanding of one’s body’s needs can be a “super power,” as the reporter shared. By turning her setback into a lesson, Balionis reminded fans that true strength often comes from slowing down and listening within.