Coexisting with Stress
We're living in a stressful time
September 1, 2025
This past week I went to the doctor, and I swore to myself, my partner, and my roommates that I wouldn’t look at the number on the scale because of the negative relationship that I have with it. The relationship is so toxic, that if a hotel room has one, I either hide it - out of sight, out of mind - or, I ask for it to be removed. If I know I am coexisting with one in the space, I will become fixated to step on the scale. I try to do whatever I can to decrease it. But, the number on the scale doesn’t define the health of my body and organs. It doesn’t define how much water I’m drinking or the food that I eat. It doesn’t define how stressed or calm my mind and body is.
We live in a stressful time. Our cortisol levels are all over the place. Our hormones are out of wack. It is a much different time today in 2025 than 40 years ago.
Of course, I can’t speak to life 40 years ago or even 30 years ago because I wasn’t alive yet. My formative years were 20 years ago and I can’t speak much to that time either, but my therapist could speak to it. As I mentioned the experience with the scale when I went to the doctor, my therapist mentioned that we are in a much different time. Our food is processed differently and there are so many chemicals. The boxed items on the shelves and the canned goods that sit in our pantries for weeks, are loaded with preservatives and oils that aren’t good for us. But, what do we have to choose from? Especially if we are on a tight budget. In the past few weeks, I’ve even thought about how modern day technology has sped up the process for cooking and increased our consumption because of the ease that food is available for us.
Beyond the food consumption, life today is much different than 10 years ago. We turn on the tv, and the news channel comes up - the headlines… stressful.
We open our phones and our addiction to scroll through social media - the headlines… stressful.
We work out, we have kids, we have to take care of ourselves, we have families and loved ones to think about.. guess what? stress.
How are we balancing the stress? How are we being with and acknowledging it so that that it doesn’t take control of our minds, our bodies, and our habits?
I think it’s important to know what works for you. In the busy, chaotic world, how can you slow down and find a place of ease and calm in your life?
For me, it’s connecting to nature when I go for a walk. Yes, you can call me tree hugger. It’s true. When I go for a walk, I like to touch at least one tree or tree branch along the way. When I connect with nature, I am reminded to pause for a moment and take a deep breath. To be one with nature; as nature is me and I am it.
Beyond nature, I balance my stress by cooking, writing, drawing, painting, walking, and meditating - being present.
We have been conditioned to be in a “go go go” state. In this state of being, my brain runs a million miles an hour. Sometimes, there is a benefit to the endless flow of thought. Sometimes, there is a benefit to slowing down. I am continuing to find a balance between the two. In the chaos of our daily lives, what if we paused and took a deep breath?
I also believe that the stress in our lives has compounded in such a way that we have found vices to cope with the stress - avoid them, ignore them, and suppress them. But, what if we held space for life’s stressors? What if, we talked about them and named the emotions that they are connected to? What if, we paused - the addictions and negative coping skills? From the pause, we BE with the stress. We are human BEings after all!
Now, I’m no mental health professional or expert in mental health, but I am a human being walking the planet each and everyday managing my own stress and finding ways to cope. I know there is a balance. A balance to be with what is happening and finding solutions to the problems; but, to also coexist with the happenings and ”problems.” I believe we can be present in the moment and acknowledge the existence of it all.
As I work to heal myself - physically, emotionally, and mentally - I desire to live a healthy lifestyle. One where I move and honor my body. A lifestyle, where I am my own cheerleader and I have grace for where I am at in life each and every day.
Allow yourself to connect to who you are and who you wish to be in the world. Set goals for yourself to be better. In therapy, I spoke about my goal to be healthy, and my therapist reminded me, “let’s remember the ‘why’” behind the goals. The why, or as I like to say “intention” will motivate us and move us. It’ll allow us to go the distance and stay persistent. I wish to live a healthy lifestyle to keep up with my four year old niece and play with her endlessly. To live a life with ease, to move my body, and be without health conditions.
To accomplish your goals, anchor yourself in your intentions and practice giving your best each and every day.
Life is stressful, but we can dance with it and move with it.