Legit stress relief (when meditation doesn’t make a dent)
We're doing it. We're talking about stress.
Cortisol, adrenal health, burnout–-these are all topics that bring mothers to my proverbial door. Mothers in over their depths with a combination of physical and mental health symptoms that are causing so much overhwhelm. And each one centers around the reality that we have more stress than our bodies can handle. Stress can show up in a lot of ways. Fatigue, quickness to anger, anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, PMS, hair loss, the works. It doesn’t have to just mean mental and emotional stress, either (though you can check that box, because we all have it). Stress can be physical. Things happening to or inside your body that trigger a stress response and cortisol change. Lemme explain.
When your blood sugar dips at 3pm, this triggers a stress response.
When you don't get enough sleep, your cortisol goes wild.
If you exercise harder or longer than your body can handle, your stress hormones get activated.
There's more, but you get the idea.
Stress isn't just "in your head." It's in your body.
The stress of the world—and in your day to day life—can cause changes in your body. Did you know that you burn through more magnesium, B vitamins, and other key nutrients when you’re overwhelmed? Or that running on high cortisol can cause insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain or weight loss resistance, particularly around the midsection? Stress can even alter your gut microbiome, slow your digestion, and contribute to gut infections like H. Pylori and SIBO. And let’s not ignore the fact that cortisol issues impact basically all of your hormones and neurotransmitters, from progesterone to thyroid to serotonin to insulin. Not good stuff.
I know that you know stress is bad. This is not some wild revelation. It's the what-to-do-about-it part that I want to help you with.
If you think I’m going to say “jUst mEdiTAte and all your problems will be solved,” then you might be new around here. I mean, meditation is great. Please lay on the couch and listen to some ocean sounds or fire up Head Space. I’m sure you need it. But if your stress is rooted in actual physical triggers like rollercoaster blood sugar and lack of sleep, then meditation isn’t gonna cut it. Deep breaths do not counter the stress of a 10-mile-long to do list. Bummer!
So aside from eating a nice balanced diet that keeps your blood sugar stable, sleeping enough, and exercising to meet your body where it's at (all so important and pivotal foundational elements of all of my programs), how can we reduce the stress load?
My favorite stress reducer is not an herbal adaptogen or a supplement, though those have their place.
My favorite stress reliever? Saying no. Taking stuff off your plate. Doing less. Outsourcing tasks to your partner, colleague, paid help, and even your kids. And taking breaks.
I know, I know. Boring. But ya know what? Sometimes the boring shit is the best thing for you.
We're not supermoms. We're regular people with regular needs. And when we do too much, we do it at the expense of our health. This is the elephant in the room whenever "self-care" enters the chat.
So what's one thing you can let go of?
Here's one of my favorites. Taking a *real* break, and instead of trying to be productive during a work break or naptime, try one of these easy, free ways to recharge:
Listen to your favorite song and lay in a legs-up-the-wall yoga pose
Take a 20-minute couch nap (bribe your kids if you have to)
Call your bestie for a 15-minute vent sesh
Turn on survivor and sink into your favorite stretch every time someone says the word “alliance”
The key is to REMOVE something from your day, and ADD rest. Even if it’s literally 5 minutes to start. And if you were just like "work break? LOLZ,” then it's time to make some schedule adjustments. This is especially true if you’re working from home or self-employed. I struggle with this too and have to constantly check in with myself to stop, and take a breather. It takes practice and starts with one thing, one step at a time. But it does get easier.
