The Secret to Feeling Less Stressed Every Day

I didn't start taking my stress seriously until a few years ago when I was trying to figure out some confusing health issues.

After all the tests kept coming back "perfect", my endocrinologist told me he thought I was just too stressed out. He leaned back on the table, crossed his arms and said, "I think you’re just a Type A++ personality."

Gee, thanks.

If you've ever been dismissed by a medical professional, you know how incredibly frustrating it feels. After I got over the initial anger of his cavalier assessment, I realized that I was probably more stressed than I realized.

Armed with a new determination, I went back to my coaching training. I sought out new information and tools, and with God’s help, started to make changes.

I'll always be a work in progress, but I've noticed that my responses to stress are getting healthier and more productive the more I practice. I like to joke that I'm just a Type A+ personality now, instead of A++.

Regardless of our personality, we all have stress. However, we don't have to let it manage us, drive us to the doctor's office, or steal our peace and our joy.

One practice that’s helped me drop that extra “+” is weaving “daily recharges” into my life.

What are “daily recharges” and why do they matter?

Our brains need a rest and a reset every once and a while. A recharge is an intentional pause, a change to get your brain out of fight or flight mode. 

Recharges may feel like you’re taking time away from other things, but they’re the opposite! They’re filling up your capacity so you are able to be closer to the woman God is calling you to be each day. When your capacity is full, you have more to give. 

A recharge can be anything that fills your capacity (as opposed to draining it or feeling like a demand). It doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated or time-consuming.

Easy ways to recharge your brain every day

Noticing your breath is one of the easiest things you can do to recharge. Intentionally breathing, noticing where the air is moving, how your ribs or diaphragm are moving, and where you feel it in your body will naturally help calm your brain and your body.

Moving your body is another simple way to recharge. A few jumping jacks, going up and down the stairs a few times, or stretching can help calm down your nervous system.

Prayer and gratitude are also incredibly helpful (and important). Pausing to take a moment —even just a literal minute — to place yourself in God’s presence and thank Him is a wonderful way to recharge.

Finally, get creative! A recharge might be snuggling with a pet. It could be turning on music. It might be watching hilarious YouTube videos. What’s important is that you find what helps you feel recharged, like your capacity to handle what’s next has been improved, even just a little bit.

How to make daily recharges a habit

I was taught to commit to about 5 recharges a day. That might sound like a lot, but they can be 30 seconds long! 

First is something in the morning, first thing. If you only do one recharge each day, this morning one is the one to do. What we do in the first hour of our day sets the tone for the rest of the day. 

Next is to look at 3 different touchpoints in your day when you can stop and pause. As women often wearing multiple hats, even sitting down at the table to eat lunch instead of eating on the go, at a desk, or standing in the kitchen can be an amazing recharge! 

Finally, end your day with an evening recharge, giving your brain a chance to unwind. Prayer, stretching, putting on a nice hand cream — these can all be opportunities to recharge.

Any time you’re building a new habit, it’s helpful to attach it to something you already do. For example, my evening recharge is often my shower. I let the day wash away and it’s my time 100% for myself. I’m already showering, so when I do it with the intention of recharging, it helps me calm my brain down even more for bedtime.

So, choose where you’d like to start: morning, evening or mid-day. What will you do at that time? What will trigger you to remember?

You might need to set an alarm on your phone or put an appointment in your calendar. Maybe it’s a sticky note on the microwave or your bathroom mirror.

As you feel confident with one recharge, add in another one. The days where I remember to do at least 3 always feel so much more peaceful!

Want more stress tips?

Click below to get one of my all-time favorite stress hacks (and an amazing recharge).

It’s short, simple and you can do it pretty much anywhere!

I’ve done it in the middle of my dining room, in the basement (hiding from the kids), and have even used it to help me fall asleep when my mind won’t stop racing.

I know you’ll love it!