Here’s What No One Tells You About Stress
I was in the supermarket the other day, observing a woman struggling to get a jammed trolley out while balancing a toddler on her hip and a bag on her shoulder. She pushed, pulled, and wiggled the trolley in frustration, finally giving it one last yank with all her strength, almost knocking herself over in the process. She looked completely overwhelmed.
This could have been any of us — a woman managing a thousand things at once, feeling like there’s never enough time or energy. And as I watched her, it made me think about how stress shows up in our lives — and how deeply it affects both our bodies and minds.
We all know what stress feels like. But what’s actually happening inside our bodies when stress hits? And why is it so harmful?
Stress: A Legacy of the Past, Present in Our Lives
Imagine being a woman in the days of our ancestors, facing a life-threatening challenge like a sabre-tooth tiger. You’d need to either run or fight to survive — an immediate, intense stress response. This is what’s known as the ‘fight or flight’ reaction, which prepares your body to act in the face of danger. Once the threat passed, your body would return to balance.
Fast forward to today, and while we don’t have sabre-tooth tigers, the demands of modern life — work stress, family obligations, financial pressures, and societal expectations — can trigger the same stress response. The problem? Unlike the acute danger our ancestors faced, these modern stressors don’t disappear quickly. They stick around, keeping us in a constant state of stress.
The Hidden Impact of Stress on Your Body and Mind
When stress is prolonged, it leads to a cascade of physical and mental effects. Here’s how stress impacts you:
Brain Fog: Do you ever feel like your mind is foggy, like you can’t think clearly or focus? Stress impairs memory and cognitive function, making it harder to concentrate. You might even forget things you’d normally remember with ease. As stress mounts, this mental fog worsens.
Weight Gain (or Stubborn Weight Loss): Stress can lead to weight gain, especially around the belly. The hormone cortisol is released when you’re stressed, and it increases cravings for sugary, fatty comfort foods. These foods give a quick energy boost but contribute to weight gain over time, especially in the form of that “spare tire” around your midsection. Worse, cortisol can make weight loss feel almost impossible, no matter how hard you try.
Weakened Immune System: If you find yourself constantly battling colds or feeling under the weather, stress could be the culprit. Chronic stress suppresses your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to illness. It also triggers inflammation in the body, which is linked to chronic health conditions such as heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and digestive issues.
Research is indicating a strong connection between inflammation and many of today’s chronic diseases.
Managing Stress in Our Modern World
Create a Calm Home Environment: The environment around you can have a huge impact on your stress levels. Surround yourself with soothing colors like soft blues and greens, and use dim lighting in the evenings to promote relaxation. Integrating natural elements like plants, wood, and stone into your space can also bring a sense of calm. Our human need to reconnect with nature is powerful, so bringing those elements indoors can help alleviate stress.
Engage in Stress-Relieving Activities: To help calm your mind and body, find activities that relax you. Meditation, yoga, or a simple walk in nature can all help reduce stress. Even taking a moment to breathe deeply — especially exhaling slowly — can immediately calm your nervous system and lower stress hormones.
Be Consistent with Stress Reduction: It’s one thing to know what helps, but it’s another to practice it regularly. Create a list of activities that reduce stress for you and commit to incorporating at least one into your daily routine. Whether it’s a few minutes of deep breathing, listening to soothing music, or reading a book, consistency is key to reducing long-term stress.
Seeking Help: A Step Toward Better Health
As women, we’re often expected to juggle multiple roles — caring for family, managing careers, and taking care of ourselves. But when stress becomes too much, it’s okay to seek help. Talking to a professional, whether it’s a Life Coach or a naturopath, can provide the support and guidance needed to manage stress and find a way forward.
In my work, I combine life coaching and natural medicine to help women manage stress, regain balance, and improve their health. Through a holistic approach, I assist women in uncovering the underlying causes of their stress, while offering practical strategies to reduce it.
If you’re feeling stuck in the cycle of stress and overwhelm, reaching out for support is an important first step. Together, we can explore how to bring calm back into your life and help you thrive again.
Final Thoughts: Stress is an inevitable part of life, but it doesn’t have to control you. With the right tools, support, and mindset, you can manage stress more effectively and reclaim your health and well-being. If you’d like help navigating stress, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to support you every step of the way.