Harmony of Body and Soul: A Test That Reveals Where You're "Slipping"

Article | Psychology

Hey. Sometimes we hit the gym but still feel like we've been run over by a truck by evening. Or we eat salads, yet our mood is zero. It's not random: body and soul are two sides of the same coin. When one side wears out, the other dims too.

This test isn't a diagnosis or a verdict. It's a mirror. 12 simple questions, 3 minutes, and you'll see exactly where the link between physical and mental is "stuck." Take it now—just check the answer closest to you over the past month.

Test "Body ↔ Soul: Where's the Gap?"

Instructions: Choose one answer per question. Tally your points at the end.

How often do you feel tired even after a good night's sleep?

  • a) Almost never – 0
  • b) Sometimes – 1
  • c) Often – 2
  • d) Constantly – 3

When you're hungry, your mood:

  • a) Doesn't change – 0
  • b) Gets a bit worse – 1
  • c) Drops sharply – 2
  • d) You're ready to "kill" for a piece of bread – 3

After a 20-minute walk, you:

  • a) Feel a surge of energy – 0
  • b) Neutral – 1
  • c) A bit better, but not for long – 2
  • d) Still tired – 3

When you're nervous, you:

  • a) Feel no pain – 0
  • b) Slight tension in neck/back – 1
  • c) Headache or stomach ache – 2
  • d) Your whole body "twists" – 3

How many times a week do you do something just for your soul (not for show)?

  • a) 5+ – 0
  • b) 3-4 – 1
  • c) 1-2 – 2
  • d) Never – 3

When you're sick (cold, flu), your mood:

  • a) Stays normal – 0
  • b) Drops a little – 1
  • c) Plummets – 2
  • d) You fall into depression – 3

You wake up thinking:

  • a) "Awesome, new day!" – 0
  • b) "Okay, time to get up" – 1
  • c) "Here we go again..." – 2
  • d) "Wish I hadn't woken up" – 3

When you sit at the computer for hours, you:

  • a) Get up to stretch every 1-2 hours – 0
  • b) Sometimes get up – 1
  • c) Forget about your body – 2
  • d) Back/neck hurts, but you endure – 3

When you're happy, your appetite:

  • a) Normal or improves – 0
  • b) No change – 1
  • c) Disappears – 2
  • d) Crave only sweets/junk – 3

How many hours a day do you spend outdoors?

  • a) 2+ hours – 0
  • b) 1 hour – 1
  • c) 30 minutes – 2
  • d) Less than 15 minutes – 3

When you're physically exhausted, your thoughts:

  • a) Stay clear – 0
  • b) Slow down a bit – 1
  • c) Turn negative – 2
  • d) "Everything's ruined" – 3

Last time you laughed until you cried:

  • a) Today/yesterday – 0
  • b) This week – 1
  • c) Last week – 2
  • d) Can't remember – 3

Scoring

Add up all your points. Here's your zone:

  • 0-12 points: Harmony
    Body and soul in balance. You listen to yourself. Keep it up—it's rare.
  • 13-24 points: Mild Gap
    Minor "glitches." Maybe skipping walks or eating on the run. Add 1 small habit—things will level out.
  • 25-36 points: Serious Gap
    Body and soul "speak different languages." Stress → pain, fatigue → apathy. Time for a pause. Start with a 10-minute daily walk + 1 minute of breathing (inhale 4 sec, exhale 6 sec).
  • 37+ points: Alarm Bell
    You're on the edge. Body screams, soul is silent. Don't ignore. See a doctor/psychologist if fatigue or sadness lasts 2+ weeks.

What Does It Really Mean?

A low score = you intuitively follow the "movement → mood → movement" cycle. A high score = the cycle "stress → pain → more stress."

Fun fact: In 2023, the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine showed that people who walk 20 minutes a day are 31% less likely to fall into depression. Not because of "exercise," but because the brain gets oxygen and produces BDNF—"fertilizer for neurons."

Who Created This Test?

My name is Olena Kravets, a psychologist with 12 years of experience, specializing in body-oriented therapy. This test is a simplified version of the questionnaire I use in sessions. It's based on the "biopsychosocial" model—body, emotions, and environment work together.

Key feature: no "right" answers. Only yours. And no medical jargon—just what you feel.

3 Micro-Changes That Work for Everyone

  1. 10-10-10 Rule: 10 minutes movement + 10 minutes silence + 10 minutes tasty food daily.
  2. "Body Speaks": When it hurts—ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" (anger, fear, sadness). Name the emotion—the pain eases.
  3. Sleep isn't luxury. 7-8 hours = +20% immunity and -30% anxiety (Sleep study, 2024).

Took the test? Write your score in your notes. Retake it in a month. The changes will be clear as day.

Body and soul aren't enemies. They just forgot how to talk. This test is your translator.