Building Resilience: Managing Stress for a Healthier Life

Stress is something we all experience—no one’s immune to it. From juggling responsibilities, dealing with challenges at work or home, to facing health concerns or big life changes, we feel stress in many forms. Whether it’s mental stress from a busy mind, physical stress from an overloaded body, or emotional stress from relationships or inner feelings, these pressures are a normal part of being human.

The truth is, the goal isn’t to completely eliminate stress (not possible!) but to develop resilience to manage it well. When we build resilience, we’re better equipped to handle what life throws our way, which helps us feel more balanced, calm, and healthier overall. Research shows that chronic stress can impact our health, contributing to issues like heart disease, weakened immunity, and mental health struggles. So, taking time to understand and manage stress isn’t just self-care—it’s an essential part of long-term health. 

Let’s take a look at the three main types of stress and some practical ways to strengthen our resilience.

1. Physical Stress

What it is: Physical stress is the wear and tear on your body, whether it’s from overexertion, lack of sleep, or even that heavy bag you lug around all day. It shows up as muscle soreness, fatigue, and sometimes as tension headaches.

How to manage it: Take a moment to be kind to your body! Stretch in the morning, take breaks if you’re sitting for too long, and try to get a good night’s sleep (yes, even if it means putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb”). Also, hydrate! Sometimes a glass of water can go a long way to relieve physical stress.

2. Mental Stress

What it is:

Mental stress is when your brain feels like it’s running a marathon—too many thoughts, to-do lists, or nonstop problem-solving. Ever feel like you’re trying to remember all the passwords to everything, all at once? That’s mental stress!

 How to manage it: Give your mind a little rest. Try brain breaks like deep breathing, or write down your to-do list to get it off your mind. Even a quick five-minute meditation or listening to music you love can help clear some mental clutter and bring calm to a busy brain.

3. Emotional Stress

What it is: Emotional stress shows up when we’re feeling overwhelmed by our feelings—whether it’s from a challenging relationship, big life changes, or even just a rough day. This stress can feel heavy, sometimes like a knot in your stomach or chest.

How to manage it: Let your emotions out in a healthy way! Talk to a friend, journal it out, or take a walk to clear your head. Doing something creative, like drawing or baking, can be surprisingly soothing, too. And remember, it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling—acknowledging emotions is the first step to releasing them.

These three types of stress may pop up, but with a little awareness and a few simple tricks, you can manage them and feel a bit lighter along the way!

Ready to learn more? Be sure to grab your Six Small Shifts Checklist to help you get started on your wellness journey.

Wishing you peace, strength and love,  

Maryann