Bronwen Sciortino is an International Author and Simplicity Expert who spent almost two decades as an award-winning executive before experiencing a life changing event that forced her to stop and ask the question ‘What if there’s a better way to live?
Stress. It creeps up, sneaks in and takes over. Ignoring it is like ignoring a storm on the horizon. You see the dark clouds gathering, you hear the rumble of thunder … but you choose to pretend it’s not there.
Big mistake. Stress doesn’t just go away. It grows, builds and eventually, it explodes. And when it does so, your body feels it, your mind is overpowered by it and your life is engulfed by it. Stress can hurt you immeasurably – if you let it.
No matter how strong you are, you can’t ignore stress forever.
If you were on a sinking ship, would you sit on a deckchair with water pouring into holes all over the hull, simply pretending that it’s not happening and not allowing it to rain on your parade?
That’s what ignoring stress feels like. The more water that pours in, the faster the ship sinks. Your life starts to feel heavy and unmanageable. The stress hides itself, builds and then crashes down, leaving chaos in its wake.
Ignoring stress triggers is like ignoring leaks in your boat. It never ends well.
You feel it in your body: tight shoulders, pounding head, racing heart. Your mind chases never-ending thought loops that take you nowhere and trap your system in more stress-inducing patterns. Worry, fear and anger become common emotions that rule your actions and reactions.
You might think that you’re holding strong and keeping on going, but ignoring these triggers only makes them stronger. They become chains, weighing you down until you lash out at friends and family, lose sleep, and feel an overwhelming sense of being stuck – before finding yourself trapped in a cycle of misery with no joy, peace or connection to life in sight.
But you have the power to change this! It starts with recognizing your triggers, facing them and learning how to manage them. You can experience life without chaos – where it’s just you, free and in control.
So, how do you take charge of your stress and live life fully without being completely overwhelmed by everything you have to do?
It starts with understanding the hidden mistakes that keep us trapped in a stress cycle, and working out the ways that work for you to unravel their hold on your life.
Mistake 1: Ignoring physical symptoms
Stress isn't just in your head. It affects your entire body. When you ignore stress, your body pays the price. You might get headaches, stomach-aches, or even chest pain. Your immune system weakens, and you get sick more often. You feel drained and exhausted all the time. You start to lose energy, and simple tasks feel impossible.
Recognize the signs. Listen to your body. Take breaks, relax, and find ways to manage stress. Imagine feeling light, free, and full of energy. No more aches, no more pain. Just you, living your best life.
Mistake 2: Emotional overload
Ignoring stress triggers causes emotional chaos. Imagine a dam holding back a huge river. At first, it does its job. But cracks start to form. Water leaks through, and the pressure builds. Eventually, the dam bursts, flooding everything. Ignoring stress is like ignoring those cracks. Your emotions build up until you can’t hold them back anymore.
Start by acknowledging your stress. Talk about your feelings. Write them down. Find healthy ways to express your emotions. Imagine feeling calm, balanced, and in control. No more floods of emotions. Just you, steady and strong, handling life with ease.
Mistake 3: Mental fog
Mental fog makes it hard to think clearly. Decision-making becomes a struggle. You doubt yourself, feel confused, and second-guess everything. You miss important details. Your productivity drops. You start to feel stuck and frustrated. Your brain feels like it’s wrapped in a thick blanket, blocking out clarity and focus.
Start by recognizing your stress. Take breaks. Rest your mind. Do activities that clear your head, like walking or meditating. Imagine the fog lifting. Your thoughts become clear. You feel sharp, focused, and in control. No more struggling to think. Just you, bright and ready for anything.
Mistake 4: Relationship strain
Your relationships start to feel the strain. Arguments become frequent. Communication breaks down. You feel misunderstood and alone. Stress acts like a wall between you and the people you care about. It stops you from connecting, understanding, and supporting each other. You feel lonely, disconnected, and sad. You start to believe that no one understands you. This isolation only adds to your stress. It becomes a vicious cycle that’s hard to break.
Start by being honest about your stress. Talk to your loved ones. Let them know what you’re going through. Find ways to manage stress together. Imagine rebuilding those connections. Your relationships become strong and supportive. You feel understood, loved, and close to those who matter. No more isolation. Just you, surrounded by love and support
Mistake 5: Reduced productivity
Stress eats away at your motivation. Tasks that used to be easy feel impossible. You procrastinate. You avoid work. Your mind feels scattered. You start to feel like a failure. This impacts your job, your schoolwork, and even your hobbies. Your performance drops, and you start to feel stuck.
Living with reduced productivity affects more than just work. It impacts your confidence. You start to doubt yourself. You feel frustrated and defeated. You worry about letting others down. This worry adds more stress, making everything worse.
Start by acknowledging your stress. Break tasks into smaller steps. Take regular breaks. Find ways to relax and recharge. Imagine feeling productive and motivated again. Your work becomes manageable. You meet deadlines, feel accomplished, and regain your confidence. Just you, racing ahead, free and focused.
Mistake 6: Sleep disruption
Without good sleep, everything gets worse. You wake up tired. Your body feels heavy. Your mind feels foggy. You struggle to get through the day. Lack of sleep affects your mood. You get irritated easily. Little things set you off. You feel down, anxious, and overwhelmed.
Sleep is crucial for your health. It’s like recharging a battery. When you don’t sleep well, your battery runs low. Without it, you start to break down.
Start by recognizing your stress. Create a bedtime routine. Relax before bed. Avoid screens and stressful thoughts. Imagine drifting off to sleep easily. You wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day. No more tossing and turning. Just deep, restful sleep.
Mistake 8: Health problems
Stress affects every part of your body. It raises blood pressure, weakens your immune system, and increases the risk of heart disease. You get sick more often. You feel tired and run down. Your body struggles to function properly. Ignoring stress can lead to chronic conditions like diabetes, depression, and gastrointestinal issues which affect your quality of life. Your life becomes about managing symptoms instead of enjoying every day.
Start by recognizing your stress. Take care of your body. Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough sleep. Find ways to relax and unwind. Imagine feeling healthy and vibrant. No more warning lights. Just you, living a full and healthy life.
Stress is a silent thief. It sneaks into your life, stealing health, happiness and peace. Ignoring it only gives it more power. It makes every decision feel like you’re climbing a mountain and even creeps into your diet and exercise. Anxiety becomes a constant companion, where you feel on edge and find yourself unable to relax.
The power to change all of this is in your hands. Consciously and deliberately choosing to recognise your stress triggers is at the heart of taking back your power and stepping into a more supported life. Your physical symptoms start to fade. You sleep better, wake up refreshed and feel more energetic.
Your emotions balance out, you feel calm, steady and in control. Your mental clarity returns, making decision-making easy once again. Peace replaces panic and you start to remember what it is to feel vibrant and alive again.
Waking up feeling energized and ready for the day with a sharp mind and strong body is a life that is within your reach. The question is: will you create the simple steps that allow you to transform your life so you can be healthier and happier every day?
Bronwen Sciortino is a Simplicity Expert, Professional Speaker and an internationally renowned author. You can follow her at her website; Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
Bronwen Sciortino, International Author & Simplicity Expert
Bronwen Sciortino is an International Author and Simplicity Expert who spent almost two decades as an award-winning executive before experiencing a life changing event that forced her to stop and ask the question ‘What if there’s a better way to live?’ Embarking on a journey to answer this question, Bronwen developed a whole new way of living – one that teaches you to challenge the status quo and include the power of questions in everyday life. Gaining international critical acclaim and 5-star awards for her books and online programs,
Bronwen spends every day teaching people that there is an easy, practical and simple pathway to creating a healthy, happy and highly successful life. Sourced globally for media comment as an expert and working with corporate programs, conference platforms, retreats, professional mentoring and in the online environment, Bronwen teaches people how easy it is to live life very differently.
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