Dealing with Stress: Personal Insights and Practical Strategies That Work
Have you ever had one of those weeks where the stress feels like it’s about to break you?
I’m sure you have. After all, we’re living in a world that seems busier, louder, and more negative with every passing day. And as we approach Christmas, the pressures often feel even greater—expectations, anticipation, and the added financial strain that so many of us struggle with.
This week, for me, was one of those weeks. The kind of week where I felt like locking my doors, turning off my phone, and pretending the outside world didn’t exist.
As a teacher, this isn’t unusual. A lot of people don’t realise that a teacher’s “job” often starts after the school day ends. Marking papers, preparing lessons, analysing data, attending parents' evenings, and, somehow, also squeezing in weekly career development. It’s relentless. Is it any wonder that so many teachers leave the profession within a few short years?
But I’m not here to give you a full breakdown of the teaching profession. What I want to share is how I came close to breaking this week—and what I did to pull myself back from that edge.
The Hidden Costs of Stress
Stress is a killer. There—I said it. And we need to take it seriously.
For me, stress doesn’t just impact my emotions. It shows up in my body. Let me share something personal with you.
I’ve had back problems since I was a teenager. It started out of the blue when I was 13 or 14. One day, my back completely froze, and I couldn’t move. It went away just as suddenly, but it became a pattern—one that no doctor could explain. I had X-rays, examinations—nothing was ever found.
Looking back, no one ever asked me about stress. But there was stress—plenty of it. I grew up in a home that often felt unsafe, and I’m certain now that my body was reacting to that.
Years later, after my divorce, I went on a self-care journey. I started practising mindfulness and Buddhism, and for a few blissful years, I was truly happy and at peace. My back pain vanished during that time.
But then life shifted again. Since COVID, stress has crept back into my life—trying to fit back into a world I don’t always feel at home in—and, like clockwork, my back pain has returned.
Stress needs somewhere to go, and for me, it lands squarely in my back. For you, it might show up as headaches, digestive issues, or tension in your shoulders. We all have that place in our body where stress makes itself known. Have you ever noticed yours?
The problem is, if we don’t take care of it, stress will take a toll—emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Finding the Middle Way
This week, when I felt the stress building, I did something I’ve learned to do over the years. I stopped. I stepped away. I allowed myself to be silent for 24 hours. No talking, no noise, no communication with anyone. Just me.
And then I meditated.
Meditation helps me in two ways. First, sitting cross-legged opens up my hips and releases tension in my back. Second, the silence of meditation allows me to tune into what’s beneath the stress. What unhealed wounds might it have triggered? What am I holding onto that I need to release?
Meditation isn’t always easy for me. Sometimes, I get emotional. There’s a moment when I reach such deep peace that it feels like I might not want to come back. It’s beautiful, pure, and almost otherworldly. But it’s also scary—what if I cross that threshold and can’t return? I’m still working on allowing myself to fully let go.
There’s a metaphor in this experience, one that has played out in my life. I’ve glimpsed what real peace feels like, and I want to stay there all the time. But I can’t, because we all have to live in the world we’ve created for ourselves—a world that doesn’t stop, doesn’t slow down, and doesn’t make space for peace.
This idea of merging these two worlds—the one we dream of and the one we live in—is something I explore in my second book. Can there be a middle way? A balance between the two?
Practical Steps for Managing Stress
If you’ve had one of those weeks—weeks that knock you to your knees—I want to share some steps that have helped me. These are things you can try to reclaim some sense of calm in a world that never seems to switch off:
Take time for silence: Find a quiet space where you can be alone and unplug completely, even if only for a few hours.
Re-regulate through meditation: Meditation doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with simple breathing exercises, or try a guided meditation (you can download one of my free one’s here).
Reflect on your triggers: Spend time thinking about the events or circumstances causing your stress. What patterns do you notice? Can you create strategies to address them?
Evaluate your life: Is it time for a change? Whether it’s a job, a relationship, or your routine, sometimes a big shift is needed to reduce stress.
Prioritise self-care: Learn to recognise when you need to take care of yourself and make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.
You Deserve Peace
Stress may be unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to control you.
By stepping away, reflecting, and taking intentional action, you can find a way to better manage life’s challenges without letting them overwhelm you.
And remember, you’re not alone. I’ve been there—and I’m still learning. What matters most is that you show up for yourself, again and again.
What about you? How do you manage stress when life feels overwhelming? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.