People throw around the term “stress” all the time, but few of us can easily identify what stress really means for us in our own lives.

If you look up the definition of stress, you’ll see something like:

• Pressure or tension exerted on a material object

• A state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances

Based on this definition, we could all say that we’ve been under tremendous stress (of all kinds) throughout our lives.

But stress, strain and pressure are things that we become accustomed when we are steeped in them for a significant period of time. They simply become the water we’re swimming in and the air we breathe.

We adapt to the pressure, and then stress simply becomes the life we’re living. We say things like, “That’s life”. And then, we no longer see the stress, and the ways it is negatively impacting us.

To help you more easily identify this mysterious thing called stress in your own life, here are some signs and pseudonyms of stress:

• Sleeplessness
• Tension
• Worry
• Anxiety
• Nervousness
• Distress
• Racing mind
• Trauma
• Suffering
• Pain
• Grief
• Muscle tension

The effect that stress has on our bodies and health is cumulative, meaning its effects become more apparent over time. It not only impacts the nervous system (and therefore your entire body), but your adrenals, your digestion, brain function and mood, skin health, heart health, blood pressure, and so much more.

The amount of stress in everyone’s life varies, and everyone responds to stress differently. But without a doubt, it’s there.

I am calling this to your attention because stress so often goes overlooked and unnoticed, or simply tolerated like, “oh yeah, that’s there”, as if it’s normal and natural. But is it?

The more you can bring awareness to the stress in your life, and what might be causing it, the better you are able to make choices to alleviate or remove it – especially if you’re feeling the effects of long-standing stress on your body and health.

Here are 4 questions to help you notice stress and consider making shifts to reduce the effects it is having on your overall health, vitality and wellbeing.

1. What do you need to do to give yourself enough time and space to unwind, truly rest, and fill your cup on a regular basis? Most of us aren’t truly resting, or we feel guilty when we do. You are worthy of rest. Your body requires it.

1. What do you need to do to feel safe in the environments where you spend the most time? If you ever feel unsafe around a partner, a friend, a colleague or anyone else, it’s a relationship worth questioning. Also, take note of how an environment itself impacts your sense of safety and your ability to fell at peace.

1. What regular practices can you commit to that help your body manage the day-to-day stressors in your life? Things like movement, meditation, getting enough sleep, organization and healthy boundaries around your time and relationships can really help you manage stress beautifully.

1. Is your diet supporting your body and nervous system, or is it hindering them? The average American diet consists of 67% ultra-processed foods which put a lot of stress on your body’s organs and systems. Can you begin to replace some of the processed foods in your diet with real foods that support your health?

If you are serious about elevating your health, losing weight, healing from chronic body challenges or a health condition, or you just want to feel better, I urge you to get clear on the stressors in your life.

Then ask if they are truly necessary, and how you can reduce or release them entirely.

It’s time to let go of the idea that we are somehow more important or worthy if we are stressed.

It’s time to stop wearing stress as a badge of honor and instead look to the ways we can create more peace, joy and freedom in our lives.

There is so much life beyond what we’ve been taught to strive for.

There is so much waiting for us beyond stress.