In a world that never stops, where success often comes hand-in-hand with constant pressure, feeling stressed seems almost inevitable.
We often hear — or even say ourselves — “I’m fine… just a bit stressed.” But what happens when a bit turns into all the time?
Modern life makes it so easy to stay “switched on” — phones, emails, notifications, to-do lists that never seem to end. The result? Many of us live in a permanent state of alert, caught in the loop of stress hormones like cortisol rushing through our system, long after the real “emergency” has passed.
And while stress may start in the mind, we often feel it in the body: headaches, insomnia, muscle tension, frequent colds, or simply that exhausting sense of overwhelm. But here’s the good news:
Stress doesn’t have to run the show.
It is not something we are helpless against — and it can be softened, managed, and even transformed.
Here are five simple ways to begin shifting your relationship with stress — not by fighting it, but by understanding it and changing the way you meet it.
Pause and Get Perspective
When you feel the weight of a stressful situation, take a step back and ask yourself:
“Will this still matter in ten years?”
Most of the time, the answer is no.
Zoom out. Contextualize. Remind yourself that not everything deserves the power to disturb your peace.
Adjust Your Expectations
We often hold ourselves to standards we would never impose on anyone else.
When stress rises, ask: “How would I speak to a dear friend in this situation?”
Would you shame her, criticize her, tell her she’s failing?
Or would you meet her with kindness, compassion, and care?
Offer yourself the same grace.
Listen to What Stress Is Telling You
Stress can be a signal — not an enemy.
It may be trying to show you that something needs attention, that a shift is needed, that perhaps your current path or perception isn’t serving you.
Rather than silencing the signal, listen to it. What might it be asking of you?
Embrace Small Changes for Big Shifts
Your thoughts shape your feelings. If stress is weighing you down, begin by observing your thoughts.
What are you telling yourself?
Take those thoughts out of your head and put them on paper. Writing them down can be the first act of self-kindness and clarity.
Challenge the Story You’re Telling Yourself
Notice the thoughts that fuel your stress.
If your inner dialogue says, “I can’t handle this” — pause.
What if you asked yourself for evidence of the opposite?
What if you began collecting proof that you are, in fact, more capable than you give yourself credit for?
Stress is not who you are. It’s simply a state of mind — and like all states, it can change.
f this resonates with you, and you feel ready to explore a different way of meeting life’s challenges, I invite you to discover how coaching can support you on this path toward clarity, balance, and calm.
Book your Discovery Meeting today — and let’s begin this journey, together.