Let’s talk about stress—not the kind that’s just about deadlines and traffic jams (though yes, those count), but the kind that gets under your skin. The stress that lives in your body long after the chaos has passed. The stress that keeps you up at night and follows you through your day like a shadow.

Stress is a part of being human. It’s not your enemy. In fact, your stress response is one of your greatest survival tools. But like any tool, it can either serve you… or run the show. And when stress runs the show, everything else—your digestion, your sleep, your focus, your relationships—gets hijacked.

So let’s take a compassionate, root-level look at what stress really is, how it works, and how to come back into balance.

🌪 The Science of Stress: A Quick & Human Look

Your stress response is your body's internal alarm system. When it senses a threat—real or perceived—it sends out a 911 call from your brain (specifically the amygdala), alerting your nervous system. Cortisol and adrenaline flood your system, your heart rate speeds up, your muscles tense, and your digestion pauses.

This is brilliant in short bursts—if you’re running from a bear or giving a big presentation. But your nervous system doesn’t know the difference between a bear and an inbox full of unread emails, or between physical danger and emotional conflict.

This means that many of us are walking around with our stress switch stuck in the “on” position. That’s where the trouble starts.

🔍 The Root Cause Perspective: Stress is a Signal

As a root cause practitioner, I always ask: Why is the body reacting this way? What deeper imbalance or unmet need is driving this stress response?

Often, chronic stress is not just about what’s happening to you—it’s about what’s happening inside you:

Is your nervous system dysregulated from past trauma?
Is your body depleted of key nutrients that help you stay resilient?
Are you caught in a pattern of overgiving, overthinking, or under-receiving?
Are you disconnected from your values, your breath, your body?

Stress isn’t always about the thing—it’s about the story underneath the thing.

🛠 Rewriting the Stress Story: From Survival to Safety

Here’s the beautiful part: your body is wired for healing. The same system that turns stress on can also turn it off. It just needs the right signals.

Here’s what helps bring your nervous system back into balance:

1. Safe Connection:
The opposite of stress isn’t calm—it’s safety. Deep, co-regulating connection (with others or even with nature) sends your brain the message: “You’re okay. You’re not alone.”

2. Breath & Body Awareness:
Slow, intentional breathing isn’t a trend—it’s a tool. It literally tells your vagus nerve to shift out of “fight-or-flight” and into “rest-and-digest.” Movement, touch, and somatic practices help too.

3. Restoring Foundations:
Your body’s ability to handle stress depends on what I call the “foundational four”: sleep, nutrition, blood sugar balance, and gut health. You can’t regulate your mind if your body is running on empty.

4. Inner Listening:
Stress often signals that a part of you is feeling unseen or unheard. Journaling, therapy, or quiet self-reflection can help you decode the deeper message.

5. Boundaries & Beliefs:
Healing your stress response may mean letting go of old beliefs like “I have to do it all” or “Rest is lazy.” That’s brave work. It’s root work.

❤️ You’re Not Broken—You’re Wired for Survival

If you’ve been feeling chronically stressed, please hear this: there’s nothing wrong with you. Your body is doing exactly what it was designed to do—keep you safe. But you’re allowed to rewrite the rules. You’re allowed to move from survival mode into a life that feels spacious, safe, and supported.

Stress isn’t the enemy—it’s a messenger. And when you listen with compassion, it can lead you back home to yourself.

Want to learn more about Stress Reset?

Watch this podcast on Youtube about

The Stress Reset Protocol: How to Calm Your Brain & Body for Good

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https://youtu.be/5oe9vOT5ubc

Check our Instagram post:

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Trauma & Unresolved Stress Keep You Stuck in Freeze Mode

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