When life feels like a whirlwind and your to-do list won’t quit, finding calm can feel out of reach. But here’s the truth: it doesn’t have to take hours at a spa or a full week off the grid to reset your stress response. These eight micro-habits take five minutes or less—but they can have a lasting effect on how your body and brain respond to stress. Give yourself permission to pause and try one today. Your nervous system will thank you. Grab the free printable version of these tips at the bottom of this post—keep it taped on your fridge, tuck it in your journal, or on your mirror as a gentle daily reminder.
Unexpected short-term stress? I’m the champ. I can rally, respond calmly, and weather the worst of the storm with humor. Just ask my kids about any unexpected accidents or injuries they’ve had. Even they’ve been surprised by how calm I can be. But my challenge—my weak spot—is the long-term, ongoing kind of stress. My body doesn’t do well weathering that.And it makes sense… in fact, it’s natural. Cortisol and adrenaline are the stress-response hormones that give you the ability to run, fight, or forage (in the case of famine). But here’s the catch: they were only meant to spike during acute stress—not live on high alert 24/7.
