Let me guess—you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, and possibly questioning your life choices while hiding in the pantry, inhaling your kid’s leftover snacks. I get it. When my son was two, I was drowning in stress. I had a beautiful family, and I loved them dearly, but I wasn’t okay. I wasn’t me anymore. Screaming into pillows didn’t help (neither did scrolling endlessly on my phone).
I knew I needed something, but therapy wasn’t an option at the time. I needed something free, something I could do right then and there—because stress doesn’t wait for an appointment. That’s when I found myself deep in a YouTube rabbit hole, searching “how to meditate”. Enter: Transcendental Meditation (TM).
I took an intro course in person—spent an afternoon learning a whole new way to approach my day, my life, and my stress. That was 2018. Did I instantly become a Zen master? Nope. At first, I was inconsistent. But even when I wasn’t practicing daily, it was there for me. And when life hit hard—losing loved ones, strained relationships, the relentless cycle of everyday stress—I found my way back.
The Cycle of Stress & Self-Sabotage
Ever notice how we start something that helps us feel better—then as soon as we feel good, we stop doing it? We say we don’t have time, or we’re fine now. But then, surprise! We spiral back into stress and wonder why. It’s not that the thing didn’t work—we just stopped working the thing.
Stress isn’t just a feeling; it’s a full-blown wrecking ball for your brain and body. And did you know there are different types?
- Environmental – Loud kids, chaotic schedules, general overstimulation.
- Chemical – Junk food, toxins, lack of sleep.
- Emotional – Mom guilt, anxiety, overthinking everything.
But here’s the thing: stress itself isn’t the villain. It’s how we handle it.
Sometimes, stress is actually trying to teach you something. Reframing stress is one of the most powerful tools you can use. Instead of seeing it as the enemy, ask: What is this moment showing me? How is this making me stronger? Stress can push you to grow, adapt, and become more resilient.
BUT… let’s be real—sometimes no amount of reframing is going to cut it in the moment. If you’re mid-anxiety spiral, about to lose your cool, or teetering on the edge of a full-blown meltdown, you need something right now to bring you back down.
Start Here:
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BREATHE. Deep inhale, hold for a few seconds, slow exhale. Repeat.
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The 5-4-3-2-1 Method: Stop and notice…
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can hear
- 3 things you can touch
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
This brings your nervous system back to baseline so you don’t pop off at your kid, your partner, or the poor customer service rep who just said, “Sorry, ma’am, there’s nothing we can do.” 😬
Other Methods: What Actually Works
- Move Your Body – Walk, stretch, swim, dance like no one's watching (or like your toddler does).
- Breathe With Intention – Mindful breathing is free and effective. Look it up on YouTube.
- Reset Your Mind – Meditation, sound baths, showers—imagine stress washing away with the water.
- Prioritize Sleep – Game-changing. Even a 15-minute power nap can reset you.
- Fuel for Longevity – Hydrate, eat real food. Treat your body like it’s the only one you’ve got (because it is).
- Find Your People – Social support is everything. But choose wisely—some folks will add to your stress instead of easing it.
- Sip on Some Tea – A warm drink + slowing down = instant calm.
- Journaling – Getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper can help you process them.
- Tune into Yourself – Your intuition knows what you need. Listen to it.
Stress is a Sneaky Little Thing
It creeps in from all angles—emotional, environmental, even chemical (yes, what you eat and drink affects stress). But I realized I wasn’t powerless. The key wasn’t eliminating stress (because, well… life), but learning how to manage it before it managed me.
Resources to Shift Your Stress Mindset
- Books – Anita Moorjani, Kelly Turner, Anthony William, Marianne Williamson.
- Podcasts – Jim Kwik & Anita Moorjani’s episode on YouTube/Spotify.
- Documentary – HEAL.
Stress isn’t going anywhere, but you can change the way you meet it. And no, you don’t need an hour of silence every morning (lol, what’s silence?). Small shifts add up. Managing stress is like a muscle—you build it over time.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I see you. I’ve been there. And while I can’t promise stress-free days, I can promise that finding what helps you is a game-changer. Start small. Start today.
And if you don’t know where to start? Try taking a deep breath.
What’s one stress-relief practice you swear by? Let’s swap survival tips! 👇🏾