Day 1
Over these 5 days my goal is to help you create a personal plan to dial down stress.
In order to do that, you need to understand that each of us have…
A stress bucket.
This is a metaphor. You do not actually have a bucket crammed between your ribcage and spine. Ahem.
But you DO have a finite capacity for stress. I’m sure you’ve noticed. Since your bucket can only hold so much, the obvious solution is to get rid of stress. Quit your job. That sort of thing.
But does that feel even remotely possible?
No? Anyone? Bueller?
This week I’m going to teach you a different way – how to continuously manage life’s stressors so your bucket isn’t overflowing, you can feel more at ease, and stop feeling like there’s a tiger chasing you. Maybe even sit down and relax or get a good night’s sleep. Remember sleep?
For right now, grab a pen and jot down the top 5-10 stressors currently in your stress bucket. (examples: your boss, your job, your leaking roof)
Then join me tonight at 8:30pm ET on Instagram (look for the “live” profile picture at that time) for a demonstration of how your stress bucket fills and empties. It makes so much sense – and feels so DOABLE – when you see it! Can’t make it live? The replay will be available afterwards.
By the way, if you miss any part of this week’s materials, you can find everything in the archive.
Have an awesome day,
Michelle
p.s.
Just in case you have a hot minute, check out this podcast episode: How To Stop Fighting, Flighting & Freaking Out
You can leave a review on Apple Podcasts to earn an additional entry into our giveaway for Annmarie Skincare’s Essentials Collection.
Just email me a screengrab of your review before you submit it. Here’s how
Day 1 Instagram Live
Watch: How To Keep Stress From Overflowing
Day 2
Your body experiences stress in a cycle.
Physiologically, there’s a beginning, middle and end.
When we get stuck smack dab in the middle of that cycle? Health issues start creeping in.
Like now, even as the pandemic begins to fade, so many women are still feeling anxious, low-energy and carrying extra weight. My prediction is that over the next 5-10 years we’ll see a spike in autoimmune disease.
Today I want to share the #1 way to get your body, blissfully, to the END of its stress cycle.
You’ll never believe how simple this is…
The body needs to MOVE.
Don’t know about you, but even my phone knows that over the pandemic I was taking 50% fewer steps per day. All that Netflix and grocery delivery was helpful, but it did absolutely NOTHING for our body’s stress response. Not to mention our collective waistlines.
Movement is the #1 way to end the stress cycle.
And I’m not talking about running a marathon or crossfitting your way into a back brace. (Although if that’s what you love, great!) I’m talking about any enjoyable movement that makes your body feel good.
For today:
1. Do some quick math…how many minutes of movement per day are you currently getting? Walking, washing dishes, yoga – it all counts.
2. Think about your favorite types of movement. Before the pandemic I was taking African dance classes – so fun! As a kid I did ballet. Think about what YOU love…and now that the world is opening up…what could you get back to?
Tonight I’ll be live on Instagram to further explain the stress cycle and share other important ways of helping your body move through it. Go here at 8:30pm ET and click on the “live” circle around my profile photo. Can’t make it live? The replay will be available afterwards.
If you’ve missed any part of this week’s materials, you can find everything in the archive.
Have an awesome day,
Michelle
p.s. Want more on this topic? Check out this podcast episode: Completing the Stress Cycle
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to earn an additional entry into our giveaway for Annmarie Skincare’s Essentials Collection.
Just email me a screengrab of your review before you submit it. Here’s how
Day 2 Instagram Live
Watch: Practical Ways to Complete the Stress Cycle
Day 3
Which of these two stories sounds most like you?
Mary has some toast for breakfast as she runs out the door at 8am. She stops for a large coffee with skim milk. By the time her 9:30 meeting starts, she’s feeling hangry and grabs a muffin. By 10:15 she’s practically falling asleep on the conference room table and looking forward to another coffee.
Julie starts her day with two hard boiled eggs, half an avocado and a small coffee with whole milk. She’s happy and productive during a busy morning at work and finally starts getting a little hungry around 1pm for lunch.
Here’s the difference between Mary and Julie…
Mary’s getting short-lived energy from carbohydrates. Her blood sugar, and energy, is on a rollercoaster all morning long, which causes a panicked stress reaction in her body.
Julie’s getting long-lasting energy from protein and fat. Her blood sugar and energy are stable. She’s able to navigate a busy day without feeling overwhelmed.
Today, make an effort to eat more protein and fat at each meal or snack, with a lesser emphasis on carbohydrates. That might look like:
– Instead of pretzels, have cheese or nuts
– Instead of eating an apple, have half an apple with peanut butter
– Instead of eating a plate of pasta, have half the pasta but add an extra meatball
See what choices you’re able to make that will keep your blood sugar stable and body calm.
Tonight I’ll be live on Instagram with more ways to keep your blood sugar balanced, and an easy experiment to try on yourself. Go here at 8:30pm ET and look for the “live” circle around my profile photo. Click that and you’ll be in 🙂
If you’ve missed any part of this week’s materials, you can find everything in the archive.
Have an awesome day,
Michelle
p.s. Has stress been taking a toll on your health lately? Book a bonus Turn Off Stress Assessment and let’s get you feeling better!
Day 3 Instagram Live
Watch: Even Out Your Stress, Energy & Mood
Day 4
Anxiety, overwhelm and sleep problems – are you familiar with any of those?
Pretty common problems in a covid and post-covid world. And this week I’ve already given you two tools to help. They’re easily accessible, inexpensive or damn near free, and incredibly powerful:
1. Movement
2. Balanced blood sugar
3. And today is all about…
Your vagus nerve.
Wait, wha?
Yes, the vagus nerve. Think of it as the VIP entrance to your body’s parasympathetic (rest and digest) state.
The best way to activate the vagus nerve is through deep breathing:
For right now, put a hand on your chest, just below the collarbone. Take a deep breath up towards your hand.
Next, put a hand on your stomach. Again, take a deep breath towards your hand.
Feel a difference? Is one easier than the other?
Tonight I’ll be live on Instagram demonstrating several breathing techniques and how to use them to dial down stress. Go here at 8:30pm ET and look for the “live” circle around my profile photo. Click that and you’ll be in 🙂
If you’ve missed any part of this week’s materials, you can find everything in the archive.
Have an awesome day,
Michelle
p.s. Has stress been causing problems like anxiety and insomnia? See how your symptoms stack up with this quick quiz.
Day 4 Instagram Live
Watch: Meet Your Vagus Nerve & Literally Turn Off Stress
Day 5
This week you’ve learned new ways to help your body move through stress.
And thank goodness because enough is enough already – I think we’re all ready to feel like ourselves again, post-pandemic!
So let’s take a few notes to create your personalized plan…
1. Did you take this stress assessment quiz?
Write down your MOST troublesome symptoms and total score. This is your starting point.
2. On Day 2 we talked about movement.
What types of movement are you already getting that you want to keep doing? What kinds of regular movement can you add to your routine?
3. On Day 3 we talked about balancing your blood sugar.
If you’re someone who often experiences energy dips throughout the day or hangry moments – what do you need to put on your grocery list that’s high in protein and fat, lower in carbohydrates?
4. On Day 4 we talked about activating the vagus nerve.
What’s the best time of day for you to incorporate even just 5 minutes of deep breathing?
Now it’s time to do the things…
It’s one thing to know about stress relief. It’s another to actually create changes in your habits. If implementation is your biggest challenge, I’m here to help. Book a time for us to have a little chat
Talk soon,
Michelle
p.s. If you’ve missed any part of this week’s materials, you can find everything in the archive until 6/17.