Stress isn’t just “in your head.” If anything, you feel it in your body first. Sometimes your chest feels tight, or your stomach starts acting up before something stressful, even when you can’t explain why. Other times, you’re completely exhausted but still can’t seem to relax.
What Stress Can Feel Like
It’s not always obvious. It can look like:
- Getting irritated really fast over small things
- Zoning out or feeling disconnected
- Overthinking everything at night
- Feeling overwhelmed by things that used to feel easy
What Can Be Helpful
1. Distractions that feel good, not forced
Scrolling, watching a comfort show, playing a game. Sometimes your brain just needs a break.
2. Moving your body (even a little)
Not in a “workout” way. Just stretching, walking, or even changing positions helps release tension.
3. Having one safe person
Someone you don’t have to explain everything to. Just knowing they’re there helps.
4. Letting it out in small ways
Writing, voice notes, even typing random thoughts in your notes app.
5. Creating a tiny “comfort zone”
A blanket, music, dim lighting—anything that makes your space feel calmer.
6. Reminding myself: this feeling will pass
Even when it feels really intense, it doesn’t stay at that level forever.
If stress feels overwhelming, it doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong. It usually means you’ve been dealing with a lot. And if your body is reacting? That’s not weakness, that’s your body trying to protect you.
A takeaway from this blog is you don’t need to have it all figured out, you don’t need a perfect routine. Even finding one small thing that helps reduce your stress or calm your body, even a little is enough.
This is my favourite grounding technique when I feel overwhelmed by stress and/or anxiety. 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Technique: Name 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can feel, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.