CLOSE THE STRESS CYCLE

We weren’t built for inboxes and endless to-do lists.

Back in our cave days, stress had a clear endpoint: the tiger ran off, we shook it off (literally), and the body got the “you’re safe now” message. That’s how the stress cycle worked—activation, survival, release, return to calm.

But today? That cycle rarely gets closed. The modern stressors—notifications, meetings, caregiving, commuting, mental load—don’t come with a built-in end point. Our bodies get stuck in a state of “go-go-go,” without the signal to say, you made it, you’re safe now.

That’s where this little shift comes in.

According to Drs. Emily and Amelia Nagoski in their book Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, the stress response is separate from the stressor. Dealing with the cause of stress (like answering the email) doesn’t resolve the impact it has on your body. To reset the nervous system, we need to complete the stress cycle.

Here are five easy ways to do just that:

Movement – Walk, stretch, dance, shake, wiggle. Just 20–30 minutes of movement a day (even broken up) can help your body move from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest.

Breathing – Try slow, deep breathing. Research shows that 6 breaths per minute (inhaling for 4 seconds, exhaling for 6) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

Light social connection – A short text convo with a friend or a warm exchange with someone you trust reminds your nervous system: I’m not alone. I’m safe.

Creative expression – Drawing, doodling, playing music, baking—creativity helps shift energy and brings the body into presence.

Feel your feelings – Laughter or tears are both powerful release valves. You can’t cry or belly-laugh while in a fight-or-flight state, so doing so can help your body regulate and reset.

✨ These are not indulgences. They’re biology.

Regularly completing the stress cycle helps reduce chronic inflammation, improve sleep, support hormone balance, and restore emotional resilience. It’s not about avoiding stress—it’s about giving your body the out it was designed to need.