Stressed About Stress? Here’s a Simple Hack to Keep It Under Control

It’s ironic: we’re told constantly how unhealthy stress is, and that can stress us out even more. But here’s the good news—understanding why chronic stress is dangerous can help you manage it.

Even if your day is full of justifiable stress, you can stop it from flooding your body with harmful stress hormones long-term.

Why does this matter? Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, clogged arteries, overeating, and even heart disease. So, let’s talk about a simple way to handle stress without letting it turn into a chronic problem. I call it the “Stress Journey”—and it’s all about making smart choices at key moments.

The Stress Journey: A Practical Map

Step 1: Spot the Stressor. Stress can sneak up on you, especially if it’s constant. Look for clues your body’s stressed—racing heart, sweaty palms, angry thoughts. What are your signs? Take a second to figure them out. Once you know you’re stressed, you’ve got your first choice.

Step 2: Is This Worth the Stress?Ask yourself: “Is this worth pumping stress hormones into my body?”

• No? Calm things down now to let your body know that it no longer needs to be in fight or flight. Try a quick meditation, deep breathing, or a distraction (like scrolling a funny video). Let your parasympathetic system kick in and relax you.

• Yes? If it’s urgent—like a deadline or emergency—lean into it. Your stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol) can actually help you act fast.

  If Yes, Move to the next step.

  
  

Step 3: Facing the Stressor (Example: Can’t Find Your Keys)

• Your brain senses “danger” and tells your adrenal glands to release adrenaline. You’re now in action mode.

• If the stress lingers, your brain adds cortisol to keep you alert.

• You find your keys and the stressor is no longer a threat. Now what?

  
  

Step 4: Reset or Ramp Up? The stressor’s gone. You’ve got two options:

• Option A: Reset. Take a moment—breathe deeply, feel grateful you found the keys, let your heart rate drop. This cues your parasympathetic system to lower adrenaline and cortisol, ending the stress cycle.

• Option B: Ramp Up. Jump straight to the next stressor (e.g., rushing to an appointment). No pause means those hormones stay high, and that’s how chronic stress builds.

  
  

TL;DR: Pause to Prevent Chronic Stress

To keep stress from becoming a health wrecking ball, pause after a stressful moment. Whether it’s a lost-keys crisis, a nagging thought, or a high intensity workout, give your body a chance to recover. A few deep breaths or a quick gratitude check can stop stress hormones from piling up.