Refresh, Renew, and Rethink Your Relationship with Stress
Let’s take a moment to go back to the basics—because sometimes, the best way to move forward is to simplify and realign. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the constant pressure to “manage your stress,” you’re not alone. But what if we reframed the conversation? What if we understood stress not just as something to fear or eliminate, but as a message from the body—one that we can learn to respond to with care, curiosity, and compassion?
Let’s revisit the foundations of stress, how it shows up in the body, and how we can begin to build resilience and restore balance.
The Nervous System: Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic
Your autonomic nervous system plays a key role in how your body reacts to stress, and it has two main branches:
Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – The “Fight or Flight” Mode
This system is designed to help us survive immediate threats. Think of it as your body's internal alarm system—releasing cortisol and adrenaline to help you escape danger.
While it's helpful in short bursts, staying stuck in this state (which many of us unknowingly do) can lead to chronic inflammation, digestive issues, and burnout.
Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – The “Rest and Digest” Mode
This is where the magic of healing, recovery, and restoration happens.
When we’re in this state, digestion improves, stress hormones decrease, and the body has the chance to repair and renew.
Our goal is not to shut down the sympathetic system entirely—it’s vital for motivation and action. The key is flexibility: being able to shift between the two states as needed.
Good Stress vs. Bad Stress: Understanding the Difference
Not all stress is bad. In fact, eustress, or “good stress,” is essential for growth.
Good Stress (Eustress):
This is the kind of stress that energizes you to take on challenges, meet deadlines, or engage in meaningful life changes.
It’s temporary, motivating, and usually followed by a sense of accomplishment or purpose.
Bad Stress (Distress):
This is the chronic, unrelenting stress that wears you down over time.
It may come from constant worry, overcommitment, lack of rest, or unaddressed emotional pain.
It disrupts hormones, sleep, digestion, and your ability to feel calm and present.
Understanding this distinction allows us to stop fearing stress and start working with it—so we can harness the benefits of healthy challenge without getting stuck in chronic overload.
Stress Reduction vs. Stress Management: What’s the Difference?
Stress Reduction means eliminating or minimizing unnecessary stressors.
Think: simplifying your schedule, cutting back on screen time, saying “no” to obligations that drain you, or choosing nourishing foods over processed ones.
The Lionheart monthly meal plan subscription was created with this in mind—to take the guesswork out of eating healthy. When planning meals and grocery lists feel like a burden, healthy habits can fall by the wayside. Let this tool support your nutrition and reduce the mental load.
Stress Management means building resilience and equipping your body and mind with tools to better handle inevitable stressors.
Breathwork, daily movement, prioritizing sleep, spending time in nature, and connecting with loved ones are all powerful strategies.
The 1:1 Revitalize Session is another powerful option—a personalized coaching session that helps you target specific stressors in your life and build a set of go-to tools you can use when your stress response kicks in. This is where we get individualized, practical, and proactive.
Managing stress doesn’t mean eliminating it—it means supporting your nervous system so you can return to balance more easily.
Final Thoughts: Renew Your Response to Stress
This season is an invitation to reset—not just your environment, but your internal rhythm. Stress is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to run the show. By understanding your body’s stress response, embracing eustress as a source of growth, and using tools that both reduce and manage stress, you can begin to feel more grounded, energized, and at peace.
If you’re ready to refresh your habits and take some of the weight off your shoulders, check out the Lionheart meal plan subscription. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be stressful—it can be simple, delicious, and supportive.
And if you’re looking for more targeted support, schedule a Revitalize Session—your first step toward identifying what’s draining you and creating a toolkit to navigate stress with confidence.
Let’s make this a time of restoring balance, renewing your energy, and responding to life with strength and grace.
