Everyone thinks burnout has to be dramatic, but it rarely is.
​ It’s not always panic attacks or full-on meltdowns. Most times, it’s quiet. It looks like checking off to-dos on autopilot, replying to messages without thinking, switching tabs endlessly, and pretending you’re okay because… well, the work has to get done.

But here’s the thing: just because you’re functioning doesn’t mean you’re okay. We often think of stress as something loud and obvious—tears, panic, shouting, shutting down. But in reality, stress is often subtle. It shows up as low energy, short fuses, brain fog, and tight shoulders. And because it creeps in quietly, we start to believe it’s normal.

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April is Stress Awareness Month, a timely reminder that stress isn’t a personality type, nor does it run in the family. It’s a biological response to pressure. You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to justify slowing down. You just have to learn how to respond to your body when it says, “Enough.”

Here are four small things I do to manage stress in ways that work:

1. The daily pause

I give myself 10 quiet minutes with no noise, no scrolling, and no conversation. Just me.
It sounds simple, but it helps me reset.

Try this: Sit outside, lie down for a few minutes, or close your eyes at your desk. That silence is grounding.

2. Walk the talk

I take most of my calls while walking. It keeps my body from tensing up and gives me a chance to breathe and move, call it shooting 2 birds with 1 stone.

Try this: For your next phone call, get up and pace. No pressure to multitask. Just move and talk.

3. Make one meal sacred

I used to eat beside my laptop or while scrolling through my phone. Now, I choose one meal a day to enjoy without screens. That single change gave me back more presence than any productivity hack.

Try this: Eat slowly. Taste your food. Let that 15 minutes belong to you and no one else.

4. Give your body a signal to slow down.

I keep a small tub of shea butter on my desk. Rubbing it into my hands calms me. It’s a way of telling my body to slow down.​
​ Try this: Use anything that helps you pause: hand cream, a glass of water, or a lip balm. The goal isn’t the product; it’s the moment of self-care.

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A Final Word

You’re not unmotivated. You’re not weak. You are just overdue for a reset. Permit yourself to stop performing and start listening. And if you’re looking for a space to discuss what that looks like, you’re welcome to join us on Telegram. We’re talking about this all month; honestly, gently, and without shame.

And if you are reading this without subscribing to my newsletter, (In Liam Neeson's voice)...I will look for you, and I will find you. 😎🎯

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