I recently sat across from my doctor as she looked at me kindly and said, “You’re showing signs of stress.”
My first reaction? “What do you mean this is stress? I had no idea!”
Here’s the kicker: I teach stress-reducing practices for a living. I coach clients, lead workshops, and speak on the power of self-care, mindfulness, and healthy boundaries. And yet… I wasn’t walking my talk.
The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t See Coming
It started as a routine visit. I answered all the usual questions, and then my doctor gently paraphrased my responses back to me—joint pain, headaches, constant fatigue, weight gain.
She looked at me and said, “These are stress symptoms.”
And you know what? She was right. (And here I thought it was just menopause!)
This isn’t the first time stress has crept into my life. But like many people, I didn’t label it as stress. In our society, we often call it being overwhelmed, having anxiety, or getting older.
But what’s really happening behind the scenes? Our cortisol levels are going haywire. Hormonal shifts affect everything from insulin to progesterone—and honestly, the list is too long to fit into one blog post.
The last time this happened, I didn’t realize it until I left a demanding job. I literally felt two inches taller the day I turned in my badge and computer. The weight—both figurative and physical—lifted from my shoulders.
Time to Pause and Ask the Real Questions
So back to that doctor’s visit. When she said, “You’re stressed,” I had to pause.
I mean, really pause. And ask myself:
How did I get here?
When did I stop practicing what I preach?
And how am I going to be more intentional about managing my stress?
Because here’s the truth: stress doesn’t just disappear on its own. It builds. It hides. And it eventually demands your attention.
3 Stress-Reducing Strategies I’m Using Right Now (That You Can Too)
1. Set Non-Negotiable Boundaries—and Not Feeling Guilty About It –
Boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re bridges to a more sustainable, sane version of ourselves. The hard part? Sticking to them without guilt.
Here’s what I did: I reconnected with my core life goals, my definition of life success, and literally wrote down the boundaries I needed in order to achieve them. Yes, pen and paper.
Then, when I say “no” to something that conflicts with those goals, I’m actually saying “yes” to what matters most. That mindset shift eliminates guilt—and empowers purpose.
2. Intentionally Plan Joy In Your Day (Yes, Schedule It) –
A full schedule isn’t the same as a fulfilling one.
I now block out 15–30 minutes daily for something that brings me joy:
A walk in the spring sunshine. A dance break to classic 80s and 90s rock. Reading a book. Starting a puzzle. Or just doing nothing.
It’s a game-changer.
If you’re working in an office where dance breaks aren’t “HR-approved” (shame!), get creative:
Grab a coffee with a friend—and ban work talk.
Book a meeting room and take a 15-minute reading break.
Go outside and listen to music or a podcast you love.
Not sure what brings you joy anymore? Reply to this email—I’ll send you a resource to help you rediscover it.
3. Checking in With Myself Like I’d Check in With a Friend –
I’ve started asking myself: How am I really doing? What do I need right now?
It’s simple—but not easy. The challenge is being honest.
As a natural problem-solver, I want to say: “I’m fine, it’s just today.” But denial doesn’t make it go away.
The reality? The stress is already here. And I can’t address it unless I tell myself the truth.
Self-awareness is the first step toward burnout recovery.
Stress Wears Many Faces
You don’t have to wait for a wake-up call.
Stress doesn’t always look like panic attacks or crying in the shower. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it wears a smile.
The good news? Small shifts make a big difference.
Let’s start there.
You’ve got this.
Want More Tools Like This?
Forward this to a friend who might not know they’re stressed.
Reply and tell me—what does stress look like for you right now? Want support creating your stress-less strategy? Schedule time and let’s chat.
