Let’s talk about stress — the kind that slowly builds until it’s running the show.
You feel it in your body, in your energy, in your relationships.
You snap more easily. You lose your patience. You feel disconnected — not just from others, but from yourself.
You snap more easily. You lose your patience. You feel disconnected — not just from others, but from yourself.
And yet, most of us just keep going.
Giving. Serving. Pushing through.
Convincing ourselves it’s “just a busy season” or that we’ll rest later.
Giving. Serving. Pushing through.
Convincing ourselves it’s “just a busy season” or that we’ll rest later.
But here’s the truth:
Stress isn’t just emotional — it’s biological.
Stress isn’t just emotional — it’s biological.
💥 What Stress Is Doing to Your Body
When you’re under stress, your body releases cortisol, your main stress hormone.
And when cortisol stays high for too long, it disrupts everything:
- Raises your blood sugar
- Increases insulin resistance
- Messes with your sleep and energy
- Triggers cravings (hello, comfort food)
- Causes mood swings and anxiety
- Makes it nearly impossible to lose weight — especially belly fat
- Weakens your immune system
But the effects go deeper than physical.
Chronic stress impacts how we show up in the world — how we parent, how we partner, how we treat ourselves.
Chronic stress impacts how we show up in the world — how we parent, how we partner, how we treat ourselves.
It makes our world feel heavier.
It dims our light.
It dims our light.
🧘🏼♀️ Why Self-Care Isn’t Optional
We say things like, “I don’t have time for myself.”
But what we really mean is: “I’ve gotten used to ignoring my own needs.”
But what we really mean is: “I’ve gotten used to ignoring my own needs.”
That’s not selfish — it’s survival mode.
And here’s what I want to lovingly remind you:
✨ You can’t pour from an empty cup.
✨ If you don’t take care of you, no one else can do it for you.
✨ If you don’t take care of you, no one else can do it for you.
Self-care isn’t bubble baths or spa days (though those are great too).
It’s nervous system regulation. It’s insulin support. It’s coming back home to yourself.
It’s nervous system regulation. It’s insulin support. It’s coming back home to yourself.
💡 What Helps Me Reset Stress (Simple, Not Overwhelming)
Here are a few gentle tools that help bring me back when stress takes the wheel:
✅ 5-minute walk outside (no phone, just breath)
✅ Grounding meals — protein + fiber + fat, nothing fancy
✅ Magnesium before bed — especially for sleep + muscle tension
✅ Journaling for 5 minutes: “What do I need right now?” or even a simple "brain dump."
✅ Saying no — without overexplaining
✅ Fasting windows — to give my body a break from the sugar rollercoaster, this helps stabilize my mood.
✅ A moment of stillness — eyes closed, hand on heart, deep breath in and out
✅ Grounding meals — protein + fiber + fat, nothing fancy
✅ Magnesium before bed — especially for sleep + muscle tension
✅ Journaling for 5 minutes: “What do I need right now?” or even a simple "brain dump."
✅ Saying no — without overexplaining
✅ Fasting windows — to give my body a break from the sugar rollercoaster, this helps stabilize my mood.
✅ A moment of stillness — eyes closed, hand on heart, deep breath in and out
You don’t have to fix everything in one day.
Just start by checking in with yourself.
Just start by checking in with yourself.
Stress will always exist — but it doesn’t have to own you.
You are allowed to slow down.
You are allowed to rest.
And you are worthy of care — not just after you’ve earned it, but because you exist.
You are allowed to slow down.
You are allowed to rest.
And you are worthy of care — not just after you’ve earned it, but because you exist.
📩 Want to learn how I used these simple practices (along with fasting + natural support) to balance blood sugar, lose 30 lbs, and feel better than I have in years?
Just message me — I’m happy to share.
You’re not alone in this.
Rachel xoxo
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