Stop Carrying So Much: Releasing Stress

My eyes creep open, but when they do, I wish I was still sound asleep. My body aches. It feels like I went to the gym… but I haven’t been in forever. My shoulders are tight, my jaw clenched, and my head already feels heavy.

I know the culprit.

It’s stress settling into my body and weighing it down.

Not the kind that fades after a hard day, but the kind that lingers. The kind that lives in your muscles, your breathing, your sleep. Chronic stress has a way of embedding itself so deeply that we stop questioning it. I couldn’t even tell my friend what exactly was weighing on me so heavy because it had become familiar. That’s the problem: we start believing this tension is just a part of life.

Navigating Chronic Stress

Many of us are living with stress daily, without ever fully releasing it. We wake up already thinking about what needs to be done, what we didn’t finish yesterday, and what tomorrow will demand. Our nervous systems rarely get the signal that it’s safe to rest. We are always living on go mode. 

While at the same time, surrender feels difficult.

We trust God in theory, but our bodies are still bracing for impact. We pray for peace, yet operate as if everything depends on us holding it all together. Over time, stress becomes something we carry without realizing the cost.

Why Addressing Stress Matters

This isn’t just about feeling overwhelmed. Chronic stress affects your health.

Long-term stress impacts sleep, digestion, immunity, hormones, and mental clarity. Left unaddressed, you can work out all you want, the weight isn’t going to go down. Your sleep isn’t going to get better. And the fatigue doesn’t care how much you slept. 

More than that, we were never meant to carry the weight of the world.

God created us for meaningful work, but also for rest and reliance on Him. When stress becomes a lifestyle, it’s often a sign that we’ve taken on burdens that were never ours to hold.

And our bodies usually speak up before our minds do.

How to Release Stress Gently and Intentionally

Releasing stress doesn’t mean ignoring responsibility or avoiding hard things. It means learning how to care for yourself in the middle of real life.

Walking and Fresh Air
Gentle movement helps regulate the nervous system. A simple walk can lower stress levels and bring your body back into the present moment. Fresh air is grounding in ways we often underestimate. I used to not care for walking, but now it’s a great way to reset myself and clear my mind.

The Food We Eat
Stress is physical, not just emotional. Nourishing your body with real food and water supports your ability to manage stress. Caring for your body is an act of stewardship, not control.

Healthy Boundaries
Not everything deserves immediate access to you. Boundaries protect your energy and prevent emotional overload. Saying no creates space for rest, clarity, and presence.

Intentional Breathing
When stress rises, breathing becomes shallow. Slow, intentional breaths tell your body that it is safe. I love to do this to start my day slowly, not rushed, and as a reminder that my day is in God’s hands. Inhale deeply through your nose, pause, then exhale slowly. 

Finding Your God-Given Rhythm
You don’t have to live at a pace that exhausts you. Finding your rhythm means honoring your limits and recognizing the season you’re in. Rest is not laziness, it’s wisdom.

Learning to Let Go

Stress will always exist, but it doesn’t have to control your life.

If your body feels heavy, your thoughts feel constantly alert, or rest feels unfamiliar, this is your invitation to pause. To listen. To release what was never meant for you to carry.

God does not ask you to hold everything together. He invites you to lay it down.

So today, take a breath. Step outside. Eat something nourishing. Set one boundary. Move at a pace that allows your body and spirit to exhale.

Peace is your portion. 

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