Hey, Let's Ditch the New Popular Girl: Stress
Remember the popular girl in high school? The one everyone clamored to be around? She was "it"—being her friend meant you were included, recognized, and just generally cool. Deep down, we all wanted a piece of that popularity, even if it was just for a minute.
Well, guess what? Stress is the new popular girl, and she is toxic.
Seriously, think about it. It’s almost become a competition to talk about how overwhelmed and busy we are.
Turn on the TV? You're bombarded with ads for de-stressing products, from calming scents to anti-anxiety meds.
Talk to your friends? How quickly does the conversation slide into how stressful your job, relationships, or just life is right now?
It's like there's a "stress party," and if you aren't talking about how stressed you are, are you even still popular? Are you even part of the conversation?
📉 The Hard Truth: How Stress is Hurting Us
I want you to consider this: all this "stress-speak" is hurting us.
This isn't just about feeling a little run-down. Scientific research over the last twenty years has made it absolutely clear:
Stress is implicated in the six leading causes of death in this country. It is one of the most toxic and preventable contributors to illness.
Our thoughts matter. Chronic or perceived stress causes DNA damage and oxidative stress at the cellular level. This means how you think about stress is as damaging as the stressful event itself.
Just like the popular girl came with a price in high school, the price of chronic stress is your physical and mental health. And let me tell you, friend, nothing—nothing—is more important than that.
My mom was right: If you don't have your health, you don't have much. Is being "popularly stressed" worth it? I say ditch the popular girl and take care of yourself.
Stress By the Numbers (The Real Cost)
| Impact Area | Key Statistics |
| Increased Health Risks | Chronic stress causes a 90% higher risk of developing heart disease and stroke. |
| Sleep Disruption | Over 70% of adults report losing sleep due to stress, leading to fatigue and reduced cognitive performance. |
| Personal Health Impact | 77% of people experience stress that affects their physical health, and 73% report stress that impacts their mental health. |
| Workplace Productivity | Stress-related absenteeism and burnout cost businesses an estimated $300 billion annually. |
| Targeted Stress | 81% of working moms and 71% of entrepreneurs worry about anxiety, stress, and depression. |
🍎 Let’s Start With an Easy Win: Your Plate
You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight to kick stress to the curb. We can start with something simple and incredibly powerful: what you eat.
Science shows that the right foods can protect your body from DNA damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation—the same things chronic stress causes!
All the major health organizations recommend we fill our plates with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. The USDA suggests aiming for a whopping 9 to 13 servings (about 6 cups) of fruits and veggies every day.
Action Item: Focus on adding color and goodness to your meals. This is an easy way to give your body the armor it needs to fight back against the physical effects of stress.
🧘♀️ 10 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Moment
We all have moments where the pressure just hits. When that feeling of overwhelm creeps in, remember these simple, immediate actions. They only take a minute or two and can genuinely reset your nervous system:
| Quick Stress Reset Actions | Details & How-To |
| 1. Deep Breathing | Inhale slowly for four counts, hold for four, exhale for four. This activates your body's relaxation response. |
| 2. Move Your Body | Break up your thoughts of defeat by changing your state. Stand up, do a quick stretch, or go for a brisk walk. |
| 3. Stretching | Roll your shoulders, stretch your arms, or stand up to release accumulated tension. |
| 4. Progressive Muscle Relaxation | Tense and then consciously release each muscle group, starting from your head down to your toes. |
| 5. Positive Self-Talk | Replace a negative thought with an affirmation like, “I can handle this. I’ve done this before, I can do it again.” |
| 6. Step Outside | A few minutes of fresh air can quickly reset your nervous system and perspective. |
| 7. Hydrate | Drink a glass of water. It helps the body regulate stress hormones. |
| 8. Mini Meditation | Close your eyes and focus 100% on the sound of your breathing for just one minute. |
| 9. Music Reset | Listen to calming instrumental or nature sounds to change your emotional frequency. |
| 10. Reach Out | Connect with others. When you uplift someone else—maybe our women entrepreneur community!—you uplift yourself. |
Mentor’s Truth: Our actions cause physical stress. Our thoughts cause real DNA damage. The solution is not to join the stress party, but to be real and live in joy. Isn't that what everyone truly wants?
🙌 Your Next Step
So, friend, let's stop chasing the popularity of being stressed out. If you don't prioritize your health, who will?
I challenge you to choose one action from the "10 Ways to Reduce Stress in the Moment" list and commit to using it the very next time you feel overwhelmed this week.
Stay healthy. Stay connected. Stay you.
C2 Your Health Women's Initiative, Inc. Women Move Forward Mentoring Community
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