Stress is a magnifier, so any problems that exist in our lives, relationships or bodies will be magnified if we are not actively managing our stress.

Many clients come to me on the brink of burn out, completely tapped out by the disproportionate weight of obligations and responsibilities in their lives. We require rest, connection and fun to create a sense of balance in our lives.

This is especially true in seasons where we are dealing with multiple major stressors at once.

Respecting our limits and boundaries is important for stress management and mental wellbeing. I know when I am stressed; I can sense when my energy is low and I need to slow down or stop for a breather. Taking a “sacred pause” in these times can offer just a little time to reset and regroup before carrying on. The act of pausing benefits us and our relationships.

In the past, I wasn’t as aware of my stress signals, so I would push through, driven by “have-to’s” and “shoulds,” which would lead to excessive worrying, getting sick or needing an entire weekend of solitude and rest to recover. At that earlier stage in my life, I was disconnected from my needs and unclear about my boundaries.

Stress management starts with self-attunement — the ability to identify our feelings, limits and boundaries. Self-attunement can be developed through a regular practice of checking in and balancing others’ needs with our own.

The guidance is to pause and consider the effects of our decision before the knee-jerk reaction. This helps us learn to choose from a place of intention, rather than from a place of habit or default.

A powerful practice to manage stress and increase self-attunement is journaling. Journaling helps us to identify, express and process our internal experience and make more conscious choices. It is an effective outlet for venting stress and it increases self-awareness, which is the first step toward change. Shoot for three times a week to start and try to be as unedited as possible. Make the time for yourself — you’re worth it!