Let’s Talk About Stress
And what you can do right now
Hey lovely,
April is Stress Awareness Month — and wow, doesn’t it resonate.
Right now I’m juggling Easter solo parenting, a trip to the UK to see the fam back home, work, and the general to do list sprinkled with some Peri brain fog.
If you are feeling like your brain is overloaded and your body’s begging for a break, I just want to remind you: you are not alone and this post is dedicated to you.
This season can be beautiful — but also a lot.
And when we’re in our 40s, especially navigating life and perimenopause, stress can feel like it hits that much harder.
Do you also noticed that two weeks of the month you feel more overstimulated than usual too?
Why? Because our hormones are fluctuating in Perimenopause and it might feel like your brain resembles a dusty renovation project. You’re not as sharp as you used to be, unable to think clearly, more overwhelmed and prone to stress and find yourself snapping at loved ones which circle back to feeling more stressed and overwhelmed.
Your brain is rewiring and preparing you for the next phase of your life. Don’t take my word for it, in Clinical Psychologist and Best Selling Author of The Upgrade, Louann Brizendine explains that you’re not growing old—you’re getting an upgrade.
Yes you are getting an upgraded brain and as Louann Brizendine points out, with the right approach, the postmenopausal years are primed to be the most creative and satisfying of a woman’s life.
Be kind to yourself. This is the time to put into practice everything you have learnt about Self Love and Self Care in your 20s and 30s and pour all that care and loving kindness into your beautiful mind and body. You are not broken, you are evolving.
Here are three gentle ways to lower stress that really work (and don’t involve overhauling your entire life):
1. Get outside for a short walk — ideally in the morning light
Walking in nature or even around the block can lower cortisol, regulate your nervous system, and support your hormone balance. The sunlight, the movement, the fresh air, being in nature— it’s like a reset button for your brain. Leave your phone in your bag or pocket, take this time to have a little break from that digital device and look and be present in the stunning world you live in.
2. Use your senses to come back to the moment
Do you feel like your stress comes from thinking about the future? When your mind starts wandering into the future, you leave the present moment and spiral into everything all at once. If yes then try this…
Pause, and notice…
1 thing you can see
1 thing you can hear
1 thing you can feel
This mini “mindful moment” helps calm your nervous system and shift your state and brings you back to the present.
3. Tap with me — this week’s Reset is all about stress
Inside The Tapping Reset Membership, we’re focusing on releasing stress and calming the nervous system. Even one round of tapping can help your body feel safe again.
This week is pre-recorded as I’m also juggling alongside you on the Easter Holidays. For those in the membership this will be with you tomorrow.
Simply pop in and tap whenever you need a moment of calm. I’ve kept this one short and powerful.
If you are curious about tapping, I appreciate that you might want to experience it before committing. This is why I’m offering a free 1 week trial. Substack asks for your payment details but you won’t be charged and you can cancel anytime.
Finally to give you an extra boost, here is a free guide to help you feel less stressed.
Understand the impact of cortisol on your body
Techniques to help you
Sunlight guide
Boundary support
Mini journal with coaching questions to go deeper.
Simply download it here:
Sending you a big hug. Feeling frazzled doesn’t mean you’re failing — it just means you're human. You have so got this my love.
Remember if you ever want a giggle… I actually tried to open my front door with my car key the other day…. 🫠🫣😁
Sending you lots of love,
Jo x
P.S. If you’d like more support, you can explore 1:1 coaching online and The Reset Membership at riseandvibewithjo.com
And I share behind the scenes and positive encouragement over on Instagram at @riseandvibewithjo